Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 40

Devanagari script

सर्पश्वापदवज्राद्यैर्हतानां ब्रह्मघातिनाम् । चतुर्द्दश्यां क्रियाश्राद्धमेकोद्दिष्टविधानतः ॥ ४० ॥

Transliteration

sarpaśvāpadavajrādyairhatānāṃ brahmaghātinām | caturddaśyāṃ kriyāśrāddhamekoddiṣṭavidhānataḥ || 40 ||

Translation

Für Brahmanenmörder, die durch Schlangen, wilde Tiere, Blitzschlag und dergleichen ums Leben kamen, soll das Toten-śrāddha (kriyā-śrāddha) am vierzehnten Mondtag nach der Vorschrift des ekoddiṣṭa, der Darbringung für eine einzelne Seele, vollzogen werden.

Word by Word

• सर्प-श्वापद-वज्र-आद्यैः: by snakes, beasts, thunderbolt, etc.
• सर्प-श्वापद-वज्र-आद्यैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्प (प्रातिपदिक) + श्वापद (प्रातिपदिक) + वज्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/3rd), बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्वः, ततः ‘आदि’ इति समाहार/समुच्चयार्थः; Instrumental plural (by/with)

• हतानाम्: of the slain
• हतानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हन् (धातु) → हत (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध/6th), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त; Genitive plural (of those who were killed)

• ब्रह्म-घातिनाम्: of Brahmin-killers
• ब्रह्म-घातिनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म (प्रातिपदिक) + घातिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध/6th), बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘ब्रह्मणः घातिनः’); Genitive plural

• चतुर्दश्याम्: on the fourteenth (tithi)
• चतुर्दश्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर्दशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/7th), एकवचन; Locative singular (on the fourteenth lunar day)

• क्रिया-श्राद्धम्: the (ritual) śrāddha
• क्रिया-श्राद्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रिया (प्रातिपदिक) + श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/2nd), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (कर्मधारयवत् ‘क्रियायुक्तं श्राद्धम्’/‘क्रियायाः श्राद्धम्’); Accusative singular

• एक-उद्दिष्ट-विधानतः: according to the ekoddiṣṭa procedure
• एक-उद्दिष्ट-विधानतः: Hetu/Prakara (हेतु/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्दिष्ट (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + विधान (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (‘एकोद्दिष्टस्य विधानम्’), ततोऽव्ययीभाववत् ‘-तः’ (ablatival adverbial) = ‘according to’; Indeclinable adverb (according to the ekoddiṣṭa procedure)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a dharma/ritual context, traditionally within Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue flow)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It assigns a precise tithi and method for post-death rites, showing that even heavy sin and violent death are addressed within dharma through regulated śrāddha meant to aid the departed being’s transition.

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

Indirectly: by emphasizing correct pitṛ-karma and ekoddiṣṭa procedure, it frames devotion as disciplined obedience to dharma—ritual responsibility becomes a supportive limb of a life oriented toward higher spiritual order.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Jyotiṣa (tithi-based timing): it specifies caturdaśī for kriyā-śrāddha and directs the ekoddiṣṭa-vidhi as the correct ritual format.