Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 35

Mantra-Māhātmya and Sādhana of Kārtavīryārjuna

Nyāsa, Yantra, Homa, and Dīpa-Vrata

Devanagari script

अश्वत्थोदुंबरप्लक्षवटबिल्वसमुद्भवाः । समिधो लभते हुत्वा पुत्रानायुर्द्धनं सुखम् ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

aśvatthoduṃbaraplakṣavaṭabilvasamudbhavāḥ | samidho labhate hutvā putrānāyurddhanaṃ sukham || 35 ||

Translation

من قدّم في النار المقدّسة عيدان الوقود الطقسية (samidh) المأخوذة من أشجار الأشفَتّه (aśvattha) والأودومبرا (udumbara) والبلكشا (plakṣa) والڤَطّ (vaṭa) والبِلوَ (bilva)، نال البنين وطول العمر والمال والسعادة.

Word by Word

• aśvattha: sacred fig (Ficus religiosa)

• udumbara: cluster fig (Ficus racemosa)

• plakṣa: plaksha fig (Ficus lacor/infectoria)

• vaṭa: banyan (Ficus benghalensis)

• bilva: bael (Aegle marmelos)

• samudbhavāḥ: arising/obtained from

• samidhaḥ: fuel-sticks for sacrifice

• hutvā: having offered into the fire

• labhate: obtains

• putrān: sons/offspring

• āyuḥ: lifespan/long life

• dhanam: wealth

• sukham: happiness/well-being

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Agni

FAQs

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

It links correct ritual materials (samidh from specific sacred trees) with dharmic outcomes, showing that yajña is not merely symbolic but a disciplined Vedic act whose fruits are said to arise from proper observance.

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

While primarily ritual-focused, it supports bhakti indirectly by presenting homa as an offering-act (arpana) performed with reverence; such disciplined worship is treated as a supportive limb to devotion and household dharma.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual-technical knowledge—selection of appropriate samidh for fire offerings—aligned with Kalpa (ritual procedure) and broader Vedanga-style precision in sacrificial practice.