Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

Varṇāśrama Saṁskāras, Upanayana Windows, Brahmacārin Ācāra, and Anadhyāya Prohibitions

Devanagari script

नासाग्रसंमितं दण्डं वैश्यस्याहुर्विपश्चितः । तथा वासांसि वक्ष्यामि विप्रादीनां यथाक्रमम् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

nāsāgrasaṃmitaṃ daṇḍaṃ vaiśyasyāhurvipaścitaḥ | tathā vāsāṃsi vakṣyāmi viprādīnāṃ yathākramam || 20 ||

Translation

Die Weisen erklären, der Stab (daṇḍa) des Vaiśya solle bis zur Nasenspitze bemessen sein. Nun werde ich auch, der rechten Ordnung gemäß, die für Brāhmaṇas und die übrigen Varṇas vorgeschriebenen Gewänder darlegen.

Word by Word

• नासा-अग्र-संमितम्: measured to the nose-tip
• नासा-अग्र-संमितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नासा (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक) + संमित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘measured to the tip of the nose’

• दण्डम्: staff
• दण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वैश्यस्य: of the Vaiśya
• वैश्यस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• आहुः: they say
• आहुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अह्/ब्रू (धातु; ‘to say’)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• विपश्चितः: the wise (people)
• विपश्चितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विपश्चित् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• वासांसि: garments
• वासांसि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• वक्ष्यामि: I shall describe
• वक्ष्यामि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (simple future), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• विप्र-आदीनाम्: of the Brāhmaṇa and others
• विप्र-आदीनाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (‘vipra and others’ as a class); पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• यथा-क्रमम्: in due order
• यथा-क्रमम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśya
• Vipra (Brāhmaṇa)

FAQs

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

It frames external discipline (staff and clothing) as part of dharma for a student, reinforcing order, restraint, and identity within prescribed duties.

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

While not directly teaching bhakti, it supports bhakti’s foundation: regulated living and purity of conduct, which steadies the mind for worship and remembrance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects kalpa-style practical ritual regulation—standardized measurements and prescriptions used in samskāras and brahmacarya observances.