Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 41

Yajñamālī–Sumālī Upākhyāna: Merit-Transfer through Temple Plastering (Lepa) and the Redemption of a Sinner

Devanagari script

दीरीकृतस्त्वया पंकस्तत्स्थाने स्थातुमिच्छया । उपलेपनतां प्राप्तं तत्स्थानं विष्णुमंदिरे ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

dīrīkṛtastvayā paṃkastatsthāne sthātumicchayā | upalepanatāṃ prāptaṃ tatsthānaṃ viṣṇumaṃdire || 41 ||

Translation

Weil du gerade an jenem Ort stehen wolltest, schobst du den Schlamm beiseite; und im Tempel Viṣṇus wurde dieser Platz geeignet, bestrichen und verputzt zu werden — gereinigt und zum Gottesdienst tauglich.

Word by Word

• दीरीकृतः: was scattered/spread out
• दीरीकृतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीरी-कृ (धातु: कृ) → दीरीकृत (कृदन्त, भूतकर्मणि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle)

• त्वया: by you
• त्वया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम; तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• पङ्कः: mud
• पङ्कः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पङ्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• तत्-स्थाने: in that place
• तत्-स्थाने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समासः—तस्य स्थाने षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

• स्थातुम्: to stay
• स्थातुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय/कृदन्त (infinitive), ‘to stand/stay’

• इच्छया: with the desire
• इच्छया: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इच्छा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थे—‘by/with the desire’

• उपलेपन-ताम्: the state of being plastered
• उपलेपन-ताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपलेपन (प्रातिपदिक) + ता (प्रातिपदिक/तद्धित)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—उपलेपनस्य ता (state of plastering) षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

• प्राप्तम्: became/attained
• प्राप्तम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आप् (धातु) + प्र (उपसर्ग) → प्राप्त (कृदन्त, भूतकर्मणि)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त; अर्थे—‘attained/became’ (agreeing with तत्स्थानम्)

• तत्-स्थानम्: that place
• तत्-स्थानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—तस्य स्थानम् षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

• विष्णु-मन्दिरे: in Vishnu’s temple
• विष्णु-मन्दिरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक) + मन्दिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समासः—विष्णोः मन्दिरे षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It teaches that sincere intention to remain near Viṣṇu (steadfast devotion) naturally leads to removing inner and outer impurity, making one’s “place” fit for sacred service.

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

Bhakti is shown as practical seva: the devotee clears what is unclean and prepares the temple-space for worship, expressing love through tangible acts that honor Viṣṇu.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It aligns with kalpa-style ritual discipline (proper preparation of a worship area), emphasizing cleanliness, sanctification, and readiness of the shrine-space before pūjā.