Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 167

Hanūmaccarita

The Account of Hanumān

Devanagari script

तत्कन्या वा क्षालितांगा धौतपादास्सुवाससः । मधुर्पिगमनिर्यासमसांद्रमगुरूद्भवम् ॥ १६७ ॥

Transliteration

tatkanyā vā kṣālitāṃgā dhautapādāssuvāsasaḥ | madhurpigamaniryāsamasāṃdramagurūdbhavam || 167 ||

Translation

ثم إن تلك الفتاة (أو المرأة)، بعد أن اغتسلت—فغسلت أعضاءها وطهّرت قدميها ولبست ثيابًا نقية—تتطيب بطيبٍ راتنجيٍّ حلو الرائحة، خفيف غير كثيف، مستخرج من الأَغَرو (خشب العود).

Word by Word

• tat-kanyāḥ: those maidens
• tat-kanyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + kanyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (तस्य कन्याः = his/that (man’s) maidens)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (or)

• kṣālita-aṅgāḥ: with limbs washed
• kṣālita-aṅgāḥ: Karta (कर्ता; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṣālita (क्षल् धातु, कृदन्त) + aṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (क्षालितानि अङ्गानि यस्याः)

• dhauta-pādāḥ: with feet washed
• dhauta-pādāḥ: Karta (कर्ता; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhauta (धाव्/धौ धातु, कृदन्त) + pāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (धौतौ पादौ यस्याः)

• su-vāsasaḥ: well-dressed
• su-vāsasaḥ: Karta (कर्ता; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + vāsas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (सुन्दरं वासः यस्याः)

• madhura-pi-gama-niryāsam: sweet resin/extract (text uncertain)
• madhura-pi-gama-niryāsam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhura (प्रातिपदिक) + pi-gama (प्रातिपदिक; दुर्लभ/पाठभेद-संभव) + niryāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (मधुरः ... निऱ्यासः)

• a-sāndram: not dense/thin
• a-sāndram: Karma (कर्म; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-sāndra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; नञ्-समास (not thick) विशेषणम् (niryāsam)

• aguru-udbhavam: produced from aguru (aloeswood)
• aguru-udbhavam: Karma (कर्म; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aguru (प्रातिपदिक) + udbhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (अगुरोः उद्भवम् = arising from aguru) विशेषणम् (niryāsam)

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue tradition with Sanatkumara lineage; instructional passage)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It emphasizes śauca (purity) and auspicious preparation—clean body, clean dress, and sattvic fragrance—as a prerequisite for sacred acts, aligning the practitioner’s outer conduct with inner reverence.

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

By prescribing respectful, clean, and pleasing preparation before worship, it frames bhakti as attentive service (sevā) expressed through disciplined bodily and sensory conduct.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure and śauca discipline are highlighted—practical rules of preparation used in worship and observances, including standards for cleanliness, clothing, and appropriate aromatic substances.