Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 41

Bhuvaneśī (Nidrā-Śakti) Mantra-vidhi, Nyāsa–Āvaraṇa Worship, Padma-homa Prayogas, and the Opening of Śrī-Mahālakṣmī Upāsanā

Devanagari script

चषकं तालवृंतं च तांबूलं छत्रमुज्ज्वलम् । चामरे चांशुकं पुष्पं बिभ्राणाः करपंकजैः ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

caṣakaṃ tālavṛṃtaṃ ca tāṃbūlaṃ chatramujjvalam | cāmare cāṃśukaṃ puṣpaṃ bibhrāṇāḥ karapaṃkajaiḥ || 41 ||

Translation

In ihren lotosgleichen Händen hielten sie einen Trinkbecher, einen Fächer mit Palmblattstiel, Tāmbūla (Betel), einen strahlenden Sonnenschirm, Yakschweif-Fächer (Cāmara), Gewänder und Blumen; so standen sie da und trugen diese Gaben in ehrfürchtigem Dienst.

Word by Word

• caṣakam: a cup/goblet
• caṣakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caṣaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• tāla-vṛntam: a palm-stalk/handle
• tāla-vṛntam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāla (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛnta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ‘तालस्य वृन्तम्’ = palm-stalk/handle

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-बोधक (conjunction)

• tāmbūlam: betel (leaf/quid)
• tāmbūlam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāmbūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• chatram: umbrella/parasol
• chatram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: chatra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ujjvalam: bright, splendid
• ujjvalam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ujjvala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying chatram)

• cāmare: two fly-whisks
• cāmare: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cāmara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन (Dual) (as written ‘cāmare’; used for a pair of fly-whisks)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-बोधक (conjunction)

• aṃśukam: a cloth/garment
• aṃśukam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṃśuka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• puṣpam: a flower
• puṣpam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• bibhrāṇāḥ: bearing/holding
• bibhrāṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhṛ (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (Present active participle/शतृ), परस्मैपदी; प्रथमा (Nominative), बहुवचन; पुल्लिङ्ग (agreeing with implied attendants/devotees)

• kara-paṃkajaiḥ: with lotus-like hands
• kara-paṃkajaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kara (प्रातिपदिक) + paṃkaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः: ‘पङ्कज-सदृशाः कराः’ = lotus-like hands

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It emphasizes bhakti expressed as reverential service (seva) through upacharas—auspicious, respectful offerings that honor the divine presence like a sovereign.

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

Bhakti is shown as embodied devotion: devotees actively carry and present offerings—flowers, cloth, fans, parasol—signifying humility, attentiveness, and loving worship rather than mere theory.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Practical ritual know-how is implied: the ordered use of upachara articles in puja reflects applied kalpa (ritual procedure) and proper ceremonial etiquette for worship.