Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

तत्क्षणाद्विरजा मन्त्री जायते स्फटिकोपमः । ततः श्रौतोक्तविधिना स्नात्वा मन्त्री समाहितः ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

tatkṣaṇādvirajā mantrī jāyate sphaṭikopamaḥ | tataḥ śrautoktavidhinā snātvā mantrī samāhitaḥ || 23 ||

Translation

في تلك اللحظة عينها يصير ممارس المانترا منزّهًا عن الدنس، صافيًا كالكريستال. ثم بعد أن يغتسل وفق الطريقة المبيّنة في تقليد الشراوتا (Śrauta)، يمكث هادئًا، مجموع القلب، حاضر الذكر.

Word by Word

• तत्क्षणात्: from that very moment
• तत्क्षणात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत् + क्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; अव्ययीभावार्थे तत्पुरुषः (तस्मिन् क्षणे/ततः क्षणात्)

• विरजा: free from impurity
• विरजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विरज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण (निर्मलः)

• मन्त्री: the mantra-practitioner
• मन्त्री: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्रिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• जायते: is born/becomes
• जायते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जन् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• स्फटिकोपमः: like crystal
• स्फटिकोपमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्फटिक + उपम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुषः (स्फटिकस्य उपमः)

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय/तद्-तसिल्)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb)

• श्रौतोक्तविधिना: by the procedure stated in the Śrauta tradition
• श्रौतोक्तविधिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रौत + उक्त + विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (श्रौतेन उक्तः विधिः)

• स्नात्वा: having bathed
• स्नात्वा: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्ना (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); पूर्वक्रिया (having bathed)

• मन्त्री: the mantra-practitioner
• मन्त्री: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्रिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• समाहितः: collected, composed
• समाहितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + आ + धा (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; क्त-प्रत्यय (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (एकाग्रः/समाधिस्थः)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a dialogue framed around Vedic technical disciplines, commonly addressed to Sanatkumara and the Kumara brothers)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It presents purification as both inner (virajā—freedom from impurity and mental agitation) and outer (Śrauta-prescribed snāna), culminating in crystal-like clarity and steadiness of mind (samāhita).

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

While framed in ritual language, it supports bhakti by emphasizing śauca (purity) and a collected mind—conditions that make mantra-japa and remembrance of the Divine steady and effective.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Śrauta-ukta-vidhi points to precise Vedic ritual procedure (kalpa/śrauta practice): performing the correct form of snāna and maintaining samādhāna (focused composure) during mantra application.