Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 66

Devapūjā-krama: Ārghya-saṃskāra, Maṇḍala–Nyāsa, Mudrā-pradarśana, Āvaraṇa-arcana, Homa, Japa, and Kṣamāpaṇa

Devanagari script

शुष्कैस्तु नार्चयेद्देवं पत्रैः पुष्पैः फलैरपि ॥ ६६ ॥

Transliteration

śuṣkaistu nārcayeddevaṃ patraiḥ puṣpaiḥ phalairapi || 66 ||

Translation

لكن لا ينبغي عبادة الإله بأشياء ذابلة يابسة—سواء كانت أوراقًا أو أزهارًا أو حتى ثمارًا.

Word by Word

• शुष्कैः: with dry (things)
• शुष्कैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुष्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (पत्र/पुष्प/फल-सम्बन्धे), तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अवधारण-अव्यय (but)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• अर्चयेत्: should worship
• अर्चयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• देवम्: the deity/God
• देवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• पत्रैः: with leaves
• पत्रैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• पुष्पैः: with flowers
• पुष्पैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• फलैः: with fruits
• फलैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/सम्भावना-अव्यय (also/even)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Deva (the worshipped Deity)

FAQs

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

It teaches that devotion should be expressed with care and reverence—offerings should be fit, fresh, and respectful, reflecting inner attentiveness rather than negligence.

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

Bhakti is not only feeling but also conduct; choosing proper offerings (fresh leaves, flowers, fruits) embodies sincerity and honors the presence of the Deity in worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights procedural ritual discipline (prayoga) in archana—guidance on the suitability (yogyatā) of dravyas used in pūjā, a practical rule within technical worship practice.