Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 29

Pūrṇimā-vrata (Lakṣmī–Nārāyaṇa-vrata): Observance, Moon Arghya, and Annual Udyāpana

Devanagari script

आचार्याय प्रदातव्या प्रतिमा दक्षिणान्विता । ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेच्छक्त्या विभवे सत्यवारितम् ॥ २९ ॥

Transliteration

ācāryāya pradātavyā pratimā dakṣiṇānvitā | brāhmaṇānbhojayecchaktyā vibhave satyavāritam || 29 ||

Translation

Dem Lehrer (Ācārya) soll eine Pratimā, ein heiliges Bild, zusammen mit Dakṣiṇā dargebracht werden. Und nach Vermögen soll man Brāhmaṇas speisen—ohne falsches Vorspiegeln und in wahrhaftiger Zurückhaltung hinsichtlich der eigenen Mittel.

Word by Word

• आचार्याय: to the teacher (ācārya)
• आचार्याय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन)

• प्रदातव्या: to be given/should be given
• प्रदातव्या: Kriya (क्रिया—कर्तव्यता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-√दा (धातु) + तव्यत्
• Form: Gerundive/obligatory participle (तव्यत्/कृदन्त); Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with ‘प्रतिमा’

• प्रतिमा: the image/idol
• प्रतिमा: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• दक्षिणान्विता: accompanied by a fee/donation
• दक्षिणान्विता: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्षिणा-अन्वित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); विशेषण; समासः (तत्पुरुष)

• ब्राह्मणान्: brahmins
• ब्राह्मणान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• भोजयेत्: should feed
• भोजयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भुज् (धातु) (णिच् causative)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्/optative), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); causative (णिच्)

• शक्त्या: according to (one's) ability
• शक्त्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• विभवे: in accordance with resources
• विभवे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विभव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); used adverbially “in/according to wealth”

• सत्यवारितम्: truly/strictly enjoined (as true rule)
• सत्यवारितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य-वारित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); विशेषण; समासः (तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana
• Acharya

FAQs

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

It frames dāna as disciplined dharma: honoring the ācārya with a meaningful gift and dakṣiṇā, and supporting Brāhmaṇas, all governed by satya (truth) rather than display—so the act becomes purifying and ethically sound.

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

By emphasizing respectful service to the teacher and sincere giving, it supports bhakti’s foundation—humility, gratitude, and honest offering—so worship and charity become expressions of devotion rather than social performance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual practicality is implied: proper dakṣiṇā and bhojana are core components of yajña/vrata completion (kalpa-oriented conduct), with the key rule that offerings must match one’s means and be governed by truthful declaration.