Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

तिलकं च ततः कुर्याद्भाले सुष्ठु गदाकृति । नन्दकं हृदये शखचक्रे चैव भुजद्वये ॥ ५४ ॥

Transliteration

tilakaṃ ca tataḥ kuryādbhāle suṣṭhu gadākṛti | nandakaṃ hṛdaye śakhacakre caiva bhujadvaye || 54 ||

Translation

Dann soll man die Tilaka auf die Stirn setzen, wohlgeformt in Gestalt einer Keule; das Zeichen Nandakas in die Herzgegend legen und die Zeichen von Muschel und Diskus auf beide Arme.

Word by Word

• तिलकम्: tilaka mark
• तिलकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिलक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अपादान/क्रमबोधक (from that/thereafter)

• कुर्यात्: should make/do
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• भाले: on the forehead
• भाले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• सुष्ठु: well, properly
• सुष्ठु: Visheshana (विशेषण/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सुष्ठु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• गदाकृति: having the form of a mace
• गदाकृति: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गदा (प्रातिपदिक) + आकृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (गदाया आकृतिः), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (तिलकस्य)

• नन्दकम्: Nandaka (sword)
• नन्दकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्दक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• हृदये: in/on the heart (region)
• हृदये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृदय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• शङ्खचक्रे: the conch and the discus
• शङ्खचक्रे: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शङ्ख (प्रातिपदिक) + चक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (शङ्खश्च चक्रं च), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed/also
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अवधारण (emphasis)

• भुजद्वये: on the two arms
• भुजद्वये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भुज (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास (द्वौ भुजौ), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Nandaka
• Shankha
• Chakra
• Gada

FAQs

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

It prescribes embodying Vishnu’s attributes through sacred marks, turning the body into a devotional locus and reinforcing constant remembrance (smaraṇa) of the Lord.

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

By instructing visible, disciplined symbols of Vishnu (mace, sword, conch, discus), it supports daily devotional identity, purity of conduct, and continuous orientation of mind and senses toward Vishnu.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure (prayoga) and correct application (vidhi) of devotional marks—practical observance aligned with dharma—reflecting technical discipline akin to kalpa-style instruction.