Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19

Mantraśodhana, Dīkṣā-krama, Guru-Pādukā, Ajapā-Haṃsa, and Ṣaṭcakra-Kuṇḍalinī Sādhana

Devanagari script

प्रार्थयेत्सद्गुरुं भक्त्याभीष्टार्थमादृतः । संपूज्य वस्त्रालंकारगोहिरण्यधरादिभिः ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

prārthayetsadguruṃ bhaktyābhīṣṭārthamādṛtaḥ | saṃpūjya vastrālaṃkāragohiraṇyadharādibhiḥ || 19 ||

Translation

Mit Bhakti und gebührender Ehrfurcht soll man den Sadguru, den wahren Lehrer, um das ersehnte Ziel bitten, nachdem man ihn zuvor vollständig verehrt hat mit Gewändern, Schmuck, Kühen, Gold, Land und dergleichen.

Word by Word

• प्रार्थयेत्: should request / pray to
• प्रार्थयेत्: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + √अर्थ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सत्-गुरुम्: the true guru
• सत्-गुरुम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक) + गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘true/good guru’

• भक्त्या: with devotion
• भक्त्या: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• अभीष्ट-अर्थम्: the desired goal
• अभीष्ट-अर्थम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभीष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; अभि + √इष्) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष sense ‘desired object/aim’

• आदृतः: respectfully
• आदृतः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Agent qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आदृत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; आ + √दृ/√दृश् in sense ‘to respect’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; क्त (PPP) used adjectivally = ‘respectful/attentive’

• संपूज्य: having duly worshipped
• संपूज्य: पूर्वक्रिया (Gerund)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + √पूज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive) = ‘having worshipped’; उपसर्ग ‘सम्-’

• वस्त्र-अलंकार-गो-हिरण्य-धर-आदिभिः: with clothes, ornaments, cows, gold, land, etc.
• वस्त्र-अलंकार-गो-हिरण्य-धर-आदिभिः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अलंकार (प्रातिपदिक) + गो (प्रातिपदिक) + हिरण्य (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व/समुच्चयार्थ समास; ‘with (items) such as clothes, ornaments, cows, gold, land, etc.’

Speaker

Narada (teaching within the Vedanga/ritual-technical instruction context, traditionally in dialogue with the Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Sadguru (true spiritual teacher)

FAQs

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

It teaches that spiritual attainment is sought through humble devotion to the sadguru, supported by respectful worship and righteous giving, aligning inner bhakti with outer dharmic conduct.

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

Bhakti is presented as the primary attitude—approaching the guru with heartfelt devotion and reverence—so that one’s request is purified and guided by authentic spiritual authority.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual propriety and the dharmic protocol of approaching a teacher—guru-pūjā and dāna (offerings like cloth, gold, cows, land)—a practical guideline often paired with Vedanga-informed rites.