Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

Dhvajāropaṇa and Dhvajāgopaṇa: Procedure, Stotra, and Phala (Merit) of Raising Viṣṇu’s Flag

Devanagari script

ततो मङ्गलवाद्यैश्च सूक्तपाठैश्च शौभनम् । नृत्यैश्च रतोत्रपठनैर्नयेद्विष्णवालये ध्वजम् ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

tato maṅgalavādyaiśca sūktapāṭhaiśca śaubhanam | nṛtyaiśca ratotrapaṭhanairnayedviṣṇavālaye dhvajam || 18 ||

Translation

ثمّ، مع الآلات الموسيقية المباركة، ومع تلاوة السُوكتا المقدّسة، وباحتفالٍ بهيّ، ومع الرقص وإنشاد الستوترات المادحة، ينبغي حمل الراية (دْهْفَجَا) إلى معبد فيشنو.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereafter
• tataḥ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), अव्यय-प्रकारः: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• maṅgala-vādyaiḥ: with auspicious musical instruments
• maṅgala-vādyaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maṅgala (प्रातिपदिक) + vādya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (determinative)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• sūkta-pāṭhaiḥ: with recitations of hymns
• sūkta-pāṭhaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sūkta (प्रातिपदिक) + pāṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• śaubhanam: auspicious/beautiful
• śaubhanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaubhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• nṛtyaiḥ: with dances
• nṛtyaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛtya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• rata-utra-paṭhanaiḥ: with (various) recitations such as rata and utra
• rata-utra-paṭhanaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rata (प्रातिपदिक) + utra (प्रातिपदिक) + paṭhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्व (copulative)

• nayet: should lead/should take
• nayet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nī (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• viṣṇu-ālaye: in the temple of Viṣṇu
• viṣṇu-ālaye: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक) + ālaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष

• dhvajam: the flag/banner
• dhvajam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhvaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (in instruction, within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue frame)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It frames the dhvaja (temple banner) procession as a complete act of bhakti—sound (mangala instruments), mantra (sūkta recitation), and joyful offering (dance and stotra)—directed to Viṣṇu’s abode, sanctifying the rite through auspiciousness and praise.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Bhakti here is expressed as shared, celebratory worship: devotees physically carry the dhvaja while simultaneously offering voice and attention through sūktas and stotras, making the procession itself a moving act of remembrance and glorification of Viṣṇu.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes correct liturgical practice—structured recitation of sūktas and stotras in an auspicious ritual setting—pointing to applied śikṣā (proper chanting/phonetics) and kalpa-style procedural discipline in temple worship.