Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

गन्धपुष्पाघक्षतैर्द्देवं धूपदीपैर्मनोहरैः । भक्षयभोज्यादिसंयुक्तैर्नैवेद्यैश्च हरिं यजेत् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

gandhapuṣpāghakṣatairddevaṃ dhūpadīpairmanoharaiḥ | bhakṣayabhojyādisaṃyuktairnaivedyaiśca hariṃ yajet || 20 ||

Translation

ينبغي عبادة الربّ هَري بالعطور والزهور وبالأكشَتَا (حبوبٍ غير مكسورة)، وبالبخور والمصابيح البهيّة، وكذلك بتقديم النَّيْفِيدْيَا (قربان الطعام) المشتمل على الحلوى وسائر المأكولات الصالحة للأكل.

Word by Word

• gandha-puṣpa-akṣataiḥ: with fragrances, flowers, and unbroken grains (akṣata)
• gandha-puṣpa-akṣataiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandha (प्रातिपदिक) + puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक) + akṣata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्व (copulative)

• devam: the deity
• devam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• dhūpa-dīpaiḥ: with incense and lamps
• dhūpa-dīpaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhūpa (प्रातिपदिक) + dīpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्व

• manoharaiḥ: charming/pleasing
• manoharaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: manohara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying dhūpa-dīpaiḥ)

• bhakṣya-bhojya-ādi-saṃyuktaiḥ: combined with sweets, foods, etc.
• bhakṣya-bhojya-ādi-saṃyuktaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhakṣya (प्रातिपदिक) + bhojya (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + saṃyukta (कृदन्त; √yuj)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त ‘saṃyukta’ (combined with); समासः—तत्पुरुष (with X combined)

• naivedyaiḥ: with food offerings (naivedya)
• naivedyaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: naivedya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन

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

• harim: Hari (Viṣṇu)
• harim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• yajet: should worship
• yajet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yaj (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (in instruction on Vishnu worship, within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Vishnu)

FAQs

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

It teaches that devotion to Hari is expressed through reverent, sensory offerings—fragrance, flowers, light, and food—turning ordinary materials into sacred service (seva) when offered with bhakti.

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

Bhakti here is practical and embodied: the devotee approaches Vishnu with pleasing offerings (dhupa, dīpa, naivedya) as acts of love and surrender, emphasizing worship through attentive service rather than mere theory.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure and correct upacāras (offerings) are implied—knowledge aligned with Kalpa (ritual practice) and basic mantra–puja discipline, focusing on proper items like akṣata, incense, lamp, and naivedya.