Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 28

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

Devanagari script

प्रादेशमात्रा समिधः पूर्णपात्रं षडङ्गुलम् । प्रोक्षिण्या उत्तरे भागे प्रणीतापात्रमष्टभिः ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

prādeśamātrā samidhaḥ pūrṇapātraṃ ṣaḍaṅgulam | prokṣiṇyā uttare bhāge praṇītāpātramaṣṭabhiḥ || 28 ||

Translation

Die Brennhölzer (samidh) sollen die Länge eines prādeśa (einer Spanne) haben. Das gefüllte Gefäß soll sechs Aṅgulas messen. Nördlich der prokṣiṇī ist das praṇītā-Gefäß in einem Abstand von acht Aṅgulas zu platzieren.

Word by Word

• प्रादेश-मात्राः: of the measure of a span
• प्रादेश-मात्राः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रादेश-मात्र (प्रातिपदिक; प्रादेश + मात्रा)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• समिधः: fuel-sticks
• समिधः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समिध् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• पूर्ण-पात्रम्: the full vessel (pūrṇapātra)
• पूर्ण-पात्रम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्ण-पात्र (प्रातिपदिक; पूर्ण + पात्र)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, 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)

• प्रोक्षिण्याः: of the prokṣiṇī (sprinkling vessel)
• प्रोक्षिण्याः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रोक्षिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी/पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Genitive/Ablative), एकवचन (Singular)

• उत्तरे: in the northern
• उत्तरे: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• भागे: part/side
• भागे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• प्रणीतापात्रम्: the praṇītā-vessel (water vessel)
• प्रणीतापात्रम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रणीतापात्र (प्रातिपदिक; प्रणीत + पात्र)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• अष्टभिः: with eight (fingers)
• अष्टभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अष्टन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural)

Speaker

Narada

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 emphasizes that inner devotion is supported by outer precision: correct measures and placements in ritual (kalpa) cultivate discipline, purity, and steadiness of mind—qualities that aid Moksha-oriented Dharma.

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

While not directly praising Bhakti, it shows Bhakti expressed as careful service (seva) in worship—honoring the rite through exactness, cleanliness, and proper arrangement of sacred implements.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedāṅga Kalpa (ritual science) is highlighted through concrete standards of measurement (aṅgula, prādeśa) and the prescribed spatial placement of vessels like the prokṣiṇī and praṇītā-pātra.