Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 89

Devapūjā-krama: Ārghya-saṃskāra, Maṇḍala–Nyāsa, Mudrā-pradarśana, Āvaraṇa-arcana, Homa, Japa, and Kṣamāpaṇa

Devanagari script

मूलेनेक्षणमस्त्रेण प्रोक्षणं ताडनं पुनः । कुशैस्तद्वर्मणाभ्युक्ष्य पूज्य तत्र न्यसेद्वसुम् ॥ ८९ ॥

Transliteration

mūlenekṣaṇamastreṇa prokṣaṇaṃ tāḍanaṃ punaḥ | kuśaistadvarmaṇābhyukṣya pūjya tatra nyasedvasum || 89 ||

Translation

Mit dem Mūla-Mantra, unter Verwendung der Mantras des ‘Schauens’ und der ‘Waffe’, vollziehe man die reinigende Besprengung (prokṣaṇa) und danach erneut das rituelle Schlagen (tāḍana), um Hindernisse zu bannen. Dann besprenge man mit Kuśa-Gras, geschützt durch das Rüstungs-Mantra (varma), verehre und lege dort das vasu — Opfergabe/heiliges Gut — an seinen rechten Platz.

Word by Word

• mūlena: with the (mūla) mantra/root
• mūlena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• īkṣaṇa-mastreṇa: with the ‘īkṣaṇa-astra’ (mantric weapon)
• īkṣaṇa-mastreṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: īkṣaṇa + astra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: īkṣaṇasya astram

• prokṣaṇam: sprinkling
• prokṣaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prokṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tāḍanam: striking/tapping (ritual)
• tāḍanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāḍana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• punaḥ: again/then
• punaḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (पुनरुक्ति/क्रमवाचक-अव्यय)

• kuśaiḥ: with kuśa grass
• kuśaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• tat-varmaṇā: with that ‘varman’ (protective mantra)
• tat-varmaṇā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tat + varman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: tasya varmaṇā (‘with that armor/mantra’)

• abhyukṣya: having sprinkled
• abhyukṣya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-ukṣ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), from अभि+उक्ष्; ‘having sprinkled over’

• pūjya: having worshipped
• pūjya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pūj (धातु)
• Form: Gerundive (क्तव्य/य), indeclinable in sense here; ‘having worshipped’/‘to be worshipped’ (context: sequential act)

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (देशवाचक-अव्यय)

• nyaset: should place/install
• nyaset: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-as (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• vasum: the ‘vasu’ (substance/treasure; ritual item)
• vasum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vasu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Sage Narada (teaching a technical ritual sequence within the Vedanga-oriented section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It teaches that ritual action is not merely physical: purification (prokṣaṇa), obstacle-removal (tāḍana), and protection (varma) are integrated through mantra, culminating in a sanctified placement (nyāsa) of the intended offering or wealth.

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

Bhakti here appears as disciplined worship (pūjā) performed after purification and protective invocation—showing devotion expressed through careful, reverent ritual order rather than hurried offering.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights applied ritual science: the procedural use of mantras (mūla, īkṣaṇa, astra, varma), kuśa-grass in purification, and nyāsa (establishing/placing) as a technical method within Vedic practice.