Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 109

Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa

The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala

Devanagari script

राजीमरीचिलोणोत्थां पुत्तलीं जुहुयान्निशि । प्रपदाभ्यां च जंघाभ्यां जानुभ्यामुरुयुग्मतः ॥ १०९ ॥

Transliteration

rājīmarīciloṇotthāṃ puttalīṃ juhuyānniśi | prapadābhyāṃ ca jaṃghābhyāṃ jānubhyāmuruyugmataḥ || 109 ||

Translation

In der Nacht sollte man eine kleine Figur, die aus der salzigen Ausblühung der Senfpflanze bereitet wurde, für die Füße, Unterschenkel, Knie und Oberschenkel ins Feuer opfern.

Word by Word

• rājī-marīci-loṇa-utthām: arisen from rājī-rays, marīci-rays and salt (i.e., made from that)
• rājī-marīci-loṇa-utthām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rājī (प्रातिपदिक) + marīci (प्रातिपदिक) + loṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + uttha (कृदन्त/उत्थ-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana; compound adjective qualifying puttalīm

• puttalīm: a doll/effigy
• puttalīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puttalī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd), Ekavacana

• juhuyāt: should offer (as oblation)
• juhuyāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: hu (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्/optative), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), Ekavacana, Parasmaipada

• niśi: at night
• niśi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niśā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Saptamī (7th/सप्तमी), Ekavacana (locative adverbial)

• prapadābhyām: with the forefeet/feet (soles)
• prapadābhyām: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prapad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (commonly), Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Dvivacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चय)

• jaṃghābhyām: with the shanks/legs
• jaṃghābhyām: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jaṃghā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Dvivacana

• jānubhyām: with the knees
• jānubhyām: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jānu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Dvivacana

• uru-yugmataḥ: from the pair of thighs
• uru-yugmataḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uru (प्रातिपदिक) + yugma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Pañcamī (5th/पञ्चमी), Ekavacana; ablative of separation/source

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within Vedanga/ritual-technical teaching)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

The verse reflects the Narada Purana’s technical-ritual worldview: specific homa offerings are prescribed as dharmic remedies, aligning bodily well-being with disciplined Vedic procedure and purity of observance.

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

This verse is primarily procedural rather than explicitly bhakti-centered; however, it supports bhakti indirectly by emphasizing faithful adherence to prescribed rites, which in the Purana framework is a form of reverent, obedient practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights applied ritual science—precise materials, timing (night performance), and targeted intention—characteristic of Vedanga-linked prayoga (practical procedure) used in homa-based remedial rites.