Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 173
Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa
The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala
मृत्युकाष्ठानले मृत्युपत्रपुष्पफलैरपि । समिद्भिर्जुहुयात्सम्यग्वारे शार्चनपूर्वकम् ॥ १७३ ॥
mṛtyukāṣṭhānale mṛtyupatrapuṣpaphalairapi | samidbhirjuhuyātsamyagvāre śārcanapūrvakam || 173 ||
In dem Feuer, das mit dem heiligen ‘mṛtyu’-Brennholz (todabwehrend) entzündet ist, soll man die Opfergaben ordnungsgemäß darbringen und dabei auch die für das ‘mṛtyu’-Ritual bestimmten Blätter, Blüten und Früchte verwenden, zusammen mit den Anzündhölzern (samidh). Dies geschehe am vorgeschriebenen Tag, eingeleitet durch Verehrung (arcana).
Narada (teaching within a technical/ritual section addressed to the Sanatkumara tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It emphasizes that life-protecting (mṛtyu-śānti) rites are not merely material acts: the efficacy depends on correct vidhi—proper materials, correct timing, and first establishing devotion through arcana (worship).
By stating śārcana-pūrvakam, it places worship before the fire-offering—showing that ritual action is meant to be grounded in reverence and devotional orientation, not performed mechanically.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is central: selection of specific samidh and offerings, and performance on the correct vāra (day/weekday), reflecting technical adherence to yajña-vidhi.