Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 91

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

शार्ङ्गी तु प्रभया युक्तः खड्गी युक्तस्तु सत्यया । शङ्खी चण्डासमायुक्तो हली वाणीसमायुतः ॥ ९१ ॥

Transliteration

śārṅgī tu prabhayā yuktaḥ khaḍgī yuktastu satyayā | śaṅkhī caṇḍāsamāyukto halī vāṇīsamāyutaḥ || 91 ||

Translation

Der Träger des Śārṅga-Bogens ist mit Prabhā (Glanz) vereint; der Träger des Schwertes ist mit Satyā (Wahrheit) vereint. Der Träger der Muschel ist mit Caṇḍā (wilder Kraft) vereint, und der Träger des Pfluges ist mit Vāṇī (heiliger Rede) vereint.

Word by Word

• śārṅgī: the Śārṅga-bow bearer
• śārṅgī: Karta (कर्ता/Subject) (elliptical)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śārṅgin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1st), Singular (एकवचन); -in stem; ‘one who has the Śārṅga bow’

• tu: indeed/but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), contrast/emphasis

• prabhayā: with Prabhā (splendour/personified)
• prabhayā: Sahakāraka (सहकारक/Instrumental of accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prabhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3rd), Singular (एकवचन)

• yuktaḥ: joined/associated
• yuktaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of śārṅgī
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yukta (कृदन्त; √yuj (धातु))
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1st), Singular (एकवचन); PPP used adjectivally ‘joined/associated’

• khaḍgī: the sword-bearer
• khaḍgī: Karta (कर्ता/Subject) (elliptical)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khaḍgin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1st), Singular (एकवचन); -in stem; ‘one who has a sword’

• yuktaḥ: joined/associated
• yuktaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of khaḍgī
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yukta (कृदन्त; √yuj (धातु))
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1st), Singular (एकवचन)

• tu: indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), emphasis

• satyayā: with Satyā (truth/personified)
• satyayā: Sahakāraka (सहकारक/Instrumental of accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: satyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3rd), Singular (एकवचन)

• śaṅkhī: the conch-bearer
• śaṅkhī: Karta (कर्ता/Subject) (elliptical)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṅkhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1st), Singular (एकवचन); -in stem; ‘one who has a conch’

• caṇḍā-samāyuktaḥ: fully joined with Caṇḍā
• caṇḍā-samāyuktaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of śaṅkhī
• Type: Adjective
• Root: caṇḍā (प्रातिपदिक) + samāyukta (कृदन्त; √yuj (धातु) with sam-ā-)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1st), Singular (एकवचन); PPP used adjectivally; समासः तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (caṇḍayā samāyuktaḥ)

• halī: the plough-bearer
• halī: Karta (कर्ता/Subject) (elliptical)
• Type: Noun
• Root: halin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1st), Singular (एकवचन); -in stem; ‘plough-bearer’

• vāṇī-samāyutaḥ: fully joined with Vāṇī
• vāṇī-samāyutaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of halī
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāṇī (प्रातिपदिक) + samāyuta (कृदन्त; √yuj (धातु) with sam-ā-)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1st), Singular (एकवचन); PPP used adjectivally; समासः तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (vāṇyā samāyutaḥ)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Balarama

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that the Lord’s weapons are not merely objects but embodiments of divine qualities—radiance, truth, fierce protective power, and sacred speech—guiding the devotee toward dharma and inner purification.

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

Bhakti here is strengthened by contemplation (dhyāna) on Viṣṇu’s attributes: a devotee remembers the Lord as Truth itself, as luminous protector, and as the source of mantra and vāṇī—turning worship into character transformation.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The emphasis on vāṇī (sacred speech) points to Vedanga concerns—especially Śikṣā (phonetics) and Vyākaraṇa (grammar)—since correct speech and mantra-recitation are treated as carriers of divine power and truth in ritual and study.