Shloka 11

The Greatness of the Month of Māgha

Māgha-snāna, Harivāsara, and the Kāṣṭhīlā-Upākhyāna

Devanagari script

यादृशी प्लवने प्रातः प्राप्यते नियमस्थितैः । सरित्तडागवापीषु स्नाने सत्तममीरितम् ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

yādṛśī plavane prātaḥ prāpyate niyamasthitaiḥ | sarittaḍāgavāpīṣu snāne sattamamīritam || 11 ||

Translation

Das Verdienst, das die in Gelübde und Disziplin Stehenden durch das Bad im Morgengrauen—durch Eintauchen und Schwimmen—erlangen, wird als höchstes bezeichnet, wenn das Bad in Flüssen, Teichen und Wasserbecken vollzogen wird.

Word by Word

• यादृशी: such as/what kind of
• यादृशी: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यादृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; गुणवाचक/तुलनाबोधक

• प्लवने: in bathing/immersion (plunge)
• प्लवने: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्लवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• प्रातः: in the morning
• प्रातः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रातः (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• प्राप्यते: is obtained
• प्राप्यते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र (उपसर्ग) + आप् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग (is obtained)

• नियम-स्थितैः: by those established in observances
• नियम-स्थितैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नियम (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: नियमेषु स्थिताः (those abiding in disciplines)

• सरित्-तडाग-वापीषु: in rivers, ponds, and wells/tanks
• सरित्-तडाग-वापीषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरित् (प्रातिपदिक) + तडाग (प्रातिपदिक) + वापी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (समाहार-द्वन्द्वे नपुंसकत्वं सम्भवति; अत्र बहुवचन-सप्तमी), सप्तमी (Locative), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व: सरित् च तडागः च वापी च

• स्नाने: in bathing
• स्नाने: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• सत्तमम्: the best/excellent
• सत्तमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक) + तमप् (तद्धित-प्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; अतिशयवाचक (superlative)

• ईरितम्: is declared/said
• ईरितम्: Kriyā (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ईर् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘सत्तमम्’ इति सहान्वय (declared as best)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha/ritual context; traditional dialogue frame with Sanatkumara is implied for this section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Māgha-snāna (explicitly described as practice within Māgha context of the chapter)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It elevates dawn-bathing performed with discipline (niyama) as a top-tier purificatory act, especially when done in natural and public waters like rivers and ponds, emphasizing inner restraint joined to outer purity.

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

Though not naming a deity directly, it supports bhakti-oriented living by prescribing a sattvic daily regimen—purity, early rising, and disciplined conduct—often treated in the Purana tradition as preparatory limbs for worship and remembrance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual practice (kalpa-style conduct) is implied: timing (dawn), method (immersion/plavana), and qualified performer (niyamasthita). It functions as a practical dharma guideline rather than a grammar or astrology teaching.