Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 29

Dharmānukathana

Narration of Dharma

Devanagari script

तुलस्यां सेचयेद्यस्तु जलं चुलुकमात्रकम् । क्षीरोदवासिना सार्द्धं वसेदाचन्द्र तारकम् ॥ २९ ॥

Transliteration

tulasyāṃ secayedyastu jalaṃ culukamātrakam | kṣīrodavāsinā sārddhaṃ vasedācandra tārakam || 29 ||

Translation

Wer die Tulasi-Pflanze auch nur mit einer Handvoll Wasser begießt, wird mit dem Herrn, der im Milchozean weilt, zusammen wohnen, solange Mond und Sterne bestehen.

Word by Word

• tulasyām: on/in the Tulasi
• tulasyām: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tulasī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• secayet: should water/sprinkle
• secayet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sic (सिच्)
• Form: Optative (Vidhilin), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• yaḥ: who
• yaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• tu: indeed/but
• tu: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle

• jalam: water
• jalam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• culukamātrakam: only a handful/palmful
• culukamātrakam: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: culukamātraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• kṣīrodavāsinā: with the Dweller of the Milk Ocean (Vishnu)
• kṣīrodavāsinā: Sahartha (Association/सहार्थ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣīrodavāsin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• sārddham: with/together
• sārddham: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sārddham (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (Prepositional)

• vaset: would reside
• vaset: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vas (वस्)
• Form: Optative (Vidhilin), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• ācandratārakam: as long as moon and stars exist
• ācandratārakam: Kala (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ācandratāraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial Compound

Speaker

Suta (narrating Narada’s teaching in the dialogue tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Tulasi
• Vishnu
• Kshiroda (Milk Ocean)

FAQs

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

It declares that even minimal Tulasi service—watering with a small palmful—yields immense merit, culminating in enduring proximity to Vishnu (Kshirodavasin), emphasizing that sincere devotion outweighs material magnitude.

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

Bhakti is shown as accessible and practical: a simple, repeatable act of Tulasi-seva becomes a direct devotional offering to Vishnu, promising lasting spiritual fellowship rather than merely worldly reward.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual practicality is highlighted (kalpa-oriented conduct): the verse specifies a concrete upacāra—secanam (watering) with a defined small measure (culuka-mātra)—showing how regulated daily practice supports devotion.