Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 4

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

पितृभूतगणाः सर्वे करिष्ये मलमोचनम् । इति तालत्रयं दत्वा शिरः प्रावृत्य वाससा ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

pitṛbhūtagaṇāḥ sarve kariṣye malamocanam | iti tālatrayaṃ datvā śiraḥ prāvṛtya vāsasā || 4 ||

Translation

„Ihr ganzen Scharen der Pitṛs und Bhūtas, nun werde ich die Unreinheit von mir geben.“ So sprechend klatscht er dreimal in die Hände, bedeckt sein Haupt mit einem Tuch und geht weiter.

Word by Word

• पितृभूतगणाः: all the groups of beings (connected with) the ancestors
• पितृभूतगणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ-भूत-गण (प्रातिपदिक; पितृ + भूत + गण)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पितॄणां भूतगणाः = पितृ-भूताः ये गणाः)

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्

• करिष्ये: I shall do
• करिष्ये: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future/भविष्यत्), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपदम्

• मलमोचनम्: removal of impurity
• मलमोचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मल-मोचन (प्रातिपदिक; मल + मोचन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मलस्य मोचनम्)

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/quotative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उक्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• तालत्रयम्: three claps (of the hands)
• तालत्रयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताल-त्रय (प्रातिपदिक; ताल + त्रय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (त्रयः तालाः)

• दत्वा: having given (done)
• दत्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल/absolutive action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), परस्मैपदी; ‘having given/done’

• शिरः: head
• शिरः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• प्रावृत्य: having covered
• प्रावृत्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल/absolutive action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-वृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive); उपसर्गः प्र-आ-; ‘having covered’

• वाससा: with a cloth/garment
• वाससा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (instructional narration within a ritual/ācāra context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Characters & Entities

• Pitrs
• Bhutas

FAQs

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

It frames even a private bodily act within dharma: one formally announces the act to surrounding unseen beings (Pitṛs/Bhūtas) and follows a modest, regulated procedure, emphasizing śauca (purity), restraint, and non-offense.

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

Bhakti is supported by disciplined living—cleanliness, humility, and mindful conduct. By treating daily actions as regulated duties, one preserves inner purity that sustains steady remembrance and worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects ritual-ācāra and śauca rules (practical dharma procedure): a prescribed gesture (three claps) and modest covering of the head, illustrating technical ritual conduct rather than grammar or astrology.