Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 2

Śrāddha-prayoga: Niyama, Brāhmaṇa-parīkṣā, Kutapa-kāla, Tithi-nyāya, and Vaiṣṇava-phala

Devanagari script

क्षयाहपूर्वदिवसे स्नात्वा चैकाशनो भवेत् । अधः शायी ब्रह्मचारी निशि विप्रान्निमंत्रयेत् ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

kṣayāhapūrvadivase snātvā caikāśano bhavet | adhaḥ śāyī brahmacārī niśi viprānnimaṃtrayet || 2 ||

Translation

Am Tag vor dem kṣayāha soll man nach dem Bad nur einmal essen; man schlafe auf dem Boden, wahre Brahmacarya und lade in der Nacht die Brāhmaṇas ein, um sie im Ritus zu bewirten.

Word by Word

• क्षयाह-पूर्व-दिवसे: on the day before the kṣayāha (tithi-loss day)
• क्षयाह-पूर्व-दिवसे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षयाह (प्रातिपदिक) + पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + दिवस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (क्षयाहस्य पूर्वः दिवसः)

• स्नात्वा: having bathed
• स्नात्वा: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa/Adverbial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्ना (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having bathed’

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• एक-आशनः: one-mealed (eating once)
• एक-आशनः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Kartṛ-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक) + आशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—एकं आशनं यस्य/एकाशनः

• भवेत्: should be
• भवेत्: विधेय-क्रिया (Predicate verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अधः: on the ground/below
• अधः: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अधः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अव्ययार्थे (adverb: ‘below/on the ground’)

• शायी: sleeping (lying)
• शायी: कर्ता-विशेषण (Kartṛ-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शी (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (णिनि/इन्-प्रत्ययान्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘one who lies/sleeps’

• ब्रह्मचारी: a celibate (brahmacārin)
• ब्रह्मचारी: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मचारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• निशि: at night
• निशि: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• विप्रान्: brahmins
• विप्रान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन

• निमन्त्रयेत्: should invite
• निमन्त्रयेत्: विधेय-क्रिया (Predicate verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + मन्त्र् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue tradition with Sanatkumara, teaching ritual discipline)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana (Vipra)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes purification and restraint before an important rite: bathing, moderation in food, celibacy, and humility (sleeping on the ground) prepare the performer to act with śraddhā and ritual integrity.

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

Though primarily a ritual rule, it supports bhakti by cultivating self-control and reverence—qualities that make worship and offerings (including honoring brāhmaṇas) sincere and sattvic.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied: the verse gives a clear niyama—timing (the prior day/night), conduct (ekāśana, brahmacarya), and the formal invitation (nimaṃtraṇa) required for the rite.