Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38

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

Devanagari script

कुशासने समाविश्य संध्याकर्म समारभेत् । ईशानाभिमुखो विप्र गायत्र्याचम्य वै द्विज ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

kuśāsane samāviśya saṃdhyākarma samārabhet | īśānābhimukho vipra gāyatryācamya vai dvija || 38 ||

Translation

Auf einem Sitz aus Kuśa-Gras sitzend, sollte der Zweimalgeborene die Sandhyā-Riten beginnen, nach Nordosten blickend, und Ācamana durchführen, während er das Gāyatrī rezitiert.

Word by Word

• kuśa-āsane: on a kuśa-seat
• kuśa-āsane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuśa (प्रातिपदिक) + āsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; तत्पुरुष-समासः (kuśasya āsanam)

• samāviśya: having seated oneself
• samāviśya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā-viś (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यबन्त), having entered/sat down

• saṃdhyā-karma: the twilight-rite
• saṃdhyā-karma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃdhyā (प्रातिपदिक) + karma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुष-समासः (saṃdhyāyāḥ karma)

• samārabhet: should begin
• samārabhet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā-rabh (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्/optative), Parasmaipada; 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• īśāna-abhimukhaḥ: facing northeast (Īśāna)
• īśāna-abhimukhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: īśāna (प्रातिपदिक) + abhimukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; तत्पुरुष-समासः (īśānam abhimukhaḥ)

• vipra: O brāhmaṇa
• vipra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

• gāyatrī-ācamya: having performed ācamana with Gāyatrī
• gāyatrī-ācamya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gāyatrī (प्रातिपदिक) + ā-cam (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यबन्त) with object; ‘having sipped (water) with/after (reciting) Gāyatrī’

• vai: indeed
• vai: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle/emphasis (निपात)

• dvija: O twice-born
• dvija: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Gayatri
• Ishana

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that Sandhyā worship begins with physical and directional discipline—purity (ācamana), steadiness (kuśa seat), and sacred orientation (Īśāna)—so the mind becomes fit for mantra and devotion.

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

By prescribing reverent preparation before mantra-recitation, it frames daily Sandhyā as a devotional offering where the Gāyatrī is approached with purity and attentiveness, supporting steady remembrance of the Divine.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure and mantra-usage are highlighted: correct posture/seat, prescribed direction, and ācamana with Gāyatrī—elements connected with Śikṣā (mantra practice) and Kalpa (ritual method).