Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 152

Hanumān-mantra-kathana: Mantra-bheda, Nyāsa, Yantra, and Prayoga

Devanagari script

एवं स्नानादिकं कृत्वा गंगातीरेऽथवा पुनः । पर्वते वा वने वापि भूमिग्रहणपूर्वकम् ॥ १५२ ॥

Transliteration

evaṃ snānādikaṃ kṛtvā gaṃgātīre'thavā punaḥ | parvate vā vane vāpi bhūmigrahaṇapūrvakam || 152 ||

Translation

So soll man, nachdem Bad und andere vorbereitende Reinigungen vollzogen sind, fortfahren—entweder am Ufer der Gaṅgā oder auf einem Berg oder in einem Wald—und dabei mit der rechten Auswahl und Inbesitznahme des Bodens beginnen (einen geeigneten Platz/Sitz begründen).

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारार्थक (adverb)

• स्नानादिकम्: bathing and the like
• स्नानादिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान + आदिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (determinative: 'bathing etc.'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; accusative singular neuter

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), अव्यय; 'having done'

• गङ्गातीरे: on the bank of the Ganga
• गङ्गातीरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गङ्गा + तीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (determinative: 'bank of the Ganga'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; locative singular neuter

• अथवा: or
• अथवा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथवा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (disjunctive: 'or')

• पुनः: again / alternatively
• पुनः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरावृत्त्यर्थक (adverb: 'again/alternatively')

• पर्वते: on a mountain
• पर्वते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; locative singular masculine

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (particle: 'or')

• वने: in a forest
• वने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; locative singular neuter

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अप्यर्थ (particle: 'also/even')

• भूमिग्रहणपूर्वकम्: preceded by taking (a seat on) the ground
• भूमिग्रहणपूर्वकम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भूमि + ग्रहण + पूर्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (determinative: 'preceded by taking earth/ground'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; accusative singular neuter; adverbial-accusative qualifying the action

Speaker

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

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Ganga

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that inner practice should begin with outer purity and proper ritual orientation—purificatory bathing and the mindful establishment of a suitable place—so the rite is performed in a sattvic environment (tirtha, forest, or mountain).

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

By prescribing cleanliness and a sacred setting, it frames devotion as disciplined worship: bhakti is supported by shaucha (purity) and reverent preparation, making the mind steady for remembrance and offering.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights procedural ritual know-how—preliminaries like snana and bhumi-grahana (site/seat establishment), which align with kalpa-style practical rules for correctly commencing a rite.