Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38

Gaṇeśa Mantra-vidhi: Mahāgaṇapati Gāyatrī, Vakratuṇḍa Mantra, Nyāsa, Homa, Āvaraṇa-pūjā, and Caturthī Vrata

Devanagari script

उदुंम्बरोत्थैर्नृपतीन्वैश्यान्प्लक्षसमुद्भवैः । वटोद्भवैः समिद्भिश्च वशयेदंतिमान्बुधः ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

uduṃmbarotthairnṛpatīnvaiśyānplakṣasamudbhavaiḥ | vaṭodbhavaiḥ samidbhiśca vaśayedaṃtimānbudhaḥ || 38 ||

Translation

بحطب السَّمِد المأخوذ من شجرة الأُدومبارا يستطيع الحكيم أن يسيطر على الملوك؛ وبما نبت من شجرة البلاكسه يسيطر على طبقة الفيشيا؛ وبحطب السَّمِد من شجرة الفَطّا (البانيان) يُخضع أهل المرتبة الأدنى.

Word by Word

• उदुम्बर-उत्थैः: with udumbara-derived (sticks/offerings)
• उदुम्बर-उत्थैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उदुम्बर (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थे (उदुम्बरात्/उदुम्बरस्य उत्थाः); पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Instrumental plural ‘with (things) arisen from udumbara’

• नृपतीन्: kings
• नृपतीन्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृपति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Accusative plural

• वैश्यान्: vaiśyas
• वैश्यान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Accusative plural

• प्लक्ष-समुद्भवैः: with plakṣa-produced (sticks/offerings)
• प्लक्ष-समुद्भवैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्लक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + समुद्भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Instrumental plural ‘with (things) produced from plakṣa’

• वट-उद्भवैः: with banyan-derived (sticks/offerings)
• वट-उद्भवैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वट (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Instrumental plural ‘with (things) arisen from banyan’

• समिद्भिः: with kindling-sticks
• समिद्भिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समिध् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Instrumental plural ‘with fuel-sticks’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-बोधक — conjunction ‘and’

• वशयेत्: should bring under control
• वशयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन — ‘should subdue/control’

• अन्तिमान्: the last/lowest (people)
• अन्तिमान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तिम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Accusative plural; ‘the last/lowest’ (as a group)

• बुधः: the wise person
• बुधः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Nominative singular

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a technical-ritual context, traditionally in dialogue framework with Sanatkumara)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It reflects the Purana’s technical (Vedanga-linked) ritual mapping where specific natural substances—here, samidh from particular trees—are assigned precise ritual effects, emphasizing disciplined procedure and correct materials in fire-rites.

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

This verse is primarily procedural rather than devotional; indirectly, it shows that even technical rites are expected to be performed with scriptural fidelity and restraint, which in the Purana’s broader frame supports dharmic conduct that can accompany Vishnu-bhakti.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Applied ritual science—selection of samidh (homa fuel) by prescribed botanical source for a stated result—illustrating the technical, rule-based side of Vedic practice aligned with Kalpa-type ritual method.