Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27

Kalpa-Lakṣaṇa and Gṛhya-Kalpa: Classifications, Purifications, Implements, and Spatial Rite-Design

Devanagari script

द्व्यङ्गुलं तूपयमनमेकं सम्मार्जनाङ्गुलम् । स्रुवं षडङ्गुलं प्रोक्तं स्रुचं सार्द्धत्रयाङ्गुलम् ॥ २७ ॥

Transliteration

dvyaṅgulaṃ tūpayamanamekaṃ sammārjanāṅgulam | sruvaṃ ṣaḍaṅgulaṃ proktaṃ srucaṃ sārddhatrayāṅgulam || 27 ||

Translation

Das Maß namens upayamāna beträgt zwei Aṅgulas; das Aṅgula zum Reinigen beträgt eines. Die Kelle sruva wird mit sechs Aṅgulas angegeben, und die sruc mit dreieinhalb Aṅgulas.

Word by Word

• द्वि-अङ्गुलम्: two-finger(-measure)
• द्वि-अङ्गुलम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि-अङ्गुल (प्रातिपदिक; द्वि + अङ्गुल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• तु: but / indeed
• तु: Sambandha/Emphasis (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अव्यय

• उपयमनम्: the upayamana implement (a ritual utensil)
• उपयमनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपयमन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• एकम्: one
• एकम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• सम्मार्जन-अङ्गुलम्: the finger-measure for the broom/cleaning (sammārjana)
• सम्मार्जन-अङ्गुलम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम्मार्जन-अङ्गुल (प्रातिपदिक; सम्मार्जन + अङ्गुल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• स्रुवम्: sruva (small ladle)
• स्रुवम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्रुव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• षट्-अङ्गुलम्: six-finger(-measure)
• षट्-अङ्गुलम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: षट्-अङ्गुल (प्रातिपदिक; षट् + अङ्गुल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• प्रोक्तम्: said / declared
• प्रोक्तम्: Kriya-visheshana / Vidheya (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु) + क्त (कृत्) → प्रोक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• स्रुचम्: sruc (larger ladle)
• स्रुचम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्रुच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• स-अर्ध-त्रि-अङ्गुलम्: three-and-a-half-finger(-measure)
• स-अर्ध-त्रि-अङ्गुलम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + अर्ध + त्रि-अङ्गुल (प्रातिपदिक; स + अर्ध + त्रि + अङ्गुल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that sacred action (yajña/karma) must be performed with precision and purity; correct measures for tools support steadiness of mind, order (ṛta), and disciplined practice that aids dharma and inner purification.

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

While not describing bhakti directly, it supports devotional worship by insisting on careful ritual discipline—measured offerings and clean implements become an outward expression of inward reverence toward the Deity.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights technical ritual knowledge tied to śikṣā/kalpa-style procedure: standardized aṅgula-based measurements for implements like the sruva and sruc, ensuring uniformity in Vedic rites and domestic worship.