Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 39

Gṛhastha-praveśa: Vivāha-bheda, Ācāra-śauca, Śrāddha-kāla, and Vaiṣṇava-lakṣaṇa

Devanagari script

उपसनं च होतव्यं सायं प्रातर्द्विजातिभिः । उपासनपरित्यागी सुरापीत्युच्यते बुधैः ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

upasanaṃ ca hotavyaṃ sāyaṃ prātardvijātibhiḥ | upāsanaparityāgī surāpītyucyate budhaiḥ || 39 ||

Translation

يجب على ذوي الولادتين (الدِّوِجَة) أن يؤدّوا عبادة السَّندْهيا (sandhyā-upāsanā) صباحًا ومساءً. ومن ترك هذه العبادة اليومية فإن الحكماء يصفونه بأنه كشارب الخمر.

Word by Word

• upasanam: Worship/Service (specifically fire worship)
• upasanam: Karma (Object/कर्म) - Passive Subject
• Type: Noun
• Root: upasana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• ca: And
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय)

• hotavyam: To be offered/sacrificed
• hotavyam: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hu (धातु) + tavya (प्रत्यय)
• Form: Kritya Pratyaya (Potential Passive Participle), Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• sāyam: In the evening
• sāyam: Adhikarana (Locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sāyam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb of Time (कालवाचक)

• prātaḥ: In the morning
• prātaḥ: Adhikarana (Locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prātar (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb of Time (कालवाचक)

• dvijātibhiḥ: By the twice-born (Brahmins, etc.)
• dvijātibhiḥ: Karta (Agent/कर्ता) in Passive construction
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvijāti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• upāsanaparityāgī: One who abandons worship
• upāsanaparityāgī: Karma (Object/कर्म) - Passive Subject
• Type: Noun
• Root: upāsanaparityāgin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular. (Genitive Tatpurusha: upāsanasya parityāgaḥ)

• surāpī: Wine-drinker
• surāpī: Karma (Object/कर्म) - Predicate Nominative
• Type: Noun
• Root: surāpin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular. (Upapada Tatpurusha: surāṃ pibati iti)

• iti: Thus/So
• iti: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (Quotative)

• ucyate: Is said/called
• ucyate: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Passive (Karmani), Lat Lakara (Present), Prathama Purusha, Singular

• budhaiḥ: By the wise
• budhaiḥ: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: budha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

Speaker

Narada (teaching in the Narada Purana dialogue tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Dvija

FAQs

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

It stresses that sandhyā-upāsanā (daily morning and evening worship) is a non-optional nitya-karma for dvijas; neglecting it is treated as a grave lapse that erodes spiritual purity and dharmic standing.

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

By insisting on regular upāsanā, it frames bhakti as disciplined daily remembrance and worship—devotion expressed through consistent practice rather than occasional sentiment.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual timing and daily observance are emphasized—knowledge aligned with Kalpa (procedure of rites) and traditional sandhyā practice (proper morning/evening performance).