Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21
Dhvajāropaṇa and Dhvajāgopaṇa: Procedure, Stotra, and Phala (Merit) of Raising Viṣṇu’s Flag
एवं देवालये स्थाप्य शोभनं ध्वजमुत्तमम् । प्रदक्षिणमनुव्रज्य स्तोत्रमेतदुदूरयेत् ॥ २१ ॥
evaṃ devālaye sthāpya śobhanaṃ dhvajamuttamam | pradakṣiṇamanuvrajya stotrametadudūrayet || 21 ||
So soll man, nachdem man im Tempel das herrliche, vortreffliche Banner aufgerichtet hat, die Pradakṣiṇā (ehrfürchtige Umrundung) vollziehen und diese Hymne laut rezitieren.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within a ritual teaching context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It links outer ritual (installing the temple flag and circumambulating) with inner devotion by requiring stotra-recitation, turning a ceremonial act into conscious worship and remembrance of the deity.
Bhakti is expressed through embodied practices—approaching the deity’s abode, performing pradakṣiṇā with reverence, and voicing praise—so the devotee’s body, speech, and mind participate together in devotion.
It highlights kalpa-style ritual sequencing (vidhi): first installation (sthāpana) of the dhvaja, then pradakṣiṇā, then stotra-ucchāraṇa—showing procedural discipline central to Vedic ritual practice.