Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

Gṛhastha-nitya-karman: Śauca, Sandhyā-vidhi, Pañca-yajña, and Āśrama-krama

Devanagari script

स्त्रीणामनुपनीतानां गंधलेपक्षयावधि । व्रतस्थानां तु सर्वेषां यतिवच्छौचमिष्यते ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

strīṇāmanupanītānāṃ gaṃdhalepakṣayāvadhi | vratasthānāṃ tu sarveṣāṃ yativacchaucamiṣyate || 17 ||

Translation

Für Frauen, die das Upanayana nicht empfangen haben, gilt Reinheit, bis der aufgetragene Duft oder die Salbe verflogen ist. Für alle jedoch, die in einem Gelübde (vrata) stehen, wird die vorgeschriebene Reinheit als die eines Asketen (yati) angesehen.

Word by Word

• strīṇām: of women
• strīṇām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: strī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• anupanītānām: of the uninitiated
• anupanītānām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: an-upa-√nī (नी धातु) + -ta (कृत्)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त-कृदन्त) with negation; Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन); (common gender) qualifying strīṇām: ‘not initiated (not invested with sacred thread)’

• gandha-lepa-kṣaya-avadhi: until odor and smear are removed
• gandha-lepa-kṣaya-avadhi: Kāla/Parimāṇa (काल/परिमाण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: gandha (प्रातिपदिक) + lepa (प्रातिपदिक) + kṣaya (प्रातिपदिक) + avadhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva used adverbially (अव्ययीभाव-अव्यय): ‘up to the removal of smell and smear’

• vrata-sthānām: of those observing vows
• vrata-sthānām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vrata (प्रातिपदिक) + sthā (√sthā धातु) + -na (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन); Tatpuruṣa ‘of those engaged in a vow/observance’

• tu: and/indeed
• tu: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable particle (निपात)

• sarveṣām: of all
• sarveṣām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुंसक), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• yati-vat: like an ascetic
• yati-vat: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yati (प्रातिपदिक) + vat (वत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable comparative adverb (उपमानवाचक-अव्यय) meaning ‘like a yati’

• śaucam: cleansing (rule)
• śaucam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śauca (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• iṣyate: is prescribed/accepted
• iṣyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √iṣ (इष् धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); Ātmanepada; passive-like sense ‘is accepted/considered’

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a dharma/śauca context; dialogue tradition associated with Sanatkumara lineage)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: general vrata (vratasthāna)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that undertaking a vrata elevates one’s discipline: the practitioner is expected to maintain a heightened standard of śauca comparable to a yati, indicating that inner resolve should be matched by outer purity and restraint.

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

By prescribing yati-like purity for vrata-observers, the verse frames devotional observances as serious commitments—purity, restraint, and careful conduct support steadiness of mind, which strengthens bhakti-based worship and vow-keeping.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa/Smārta-ācāra style procedural dharma: practical rules of śauca tied to eligibility (anupanīta status) and to vrata-performance, guiding how ritual cleanliness is measured and maintained.