Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21

Jyotiṣa-saṅgraha: Varga-vibhāga, Bala-nirṇaya, Garbha-phala, Āyuḥ-gaṇanā

Devanagari script

वस्रं स्थलं नवं वह्निकहतं मद्यदं तथा । स्फुटितं रवितस्तांम्रं तारे ताम्रपुनिस्तथा ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

vasraṃ sthalaṃ navaṃ vahnikahataṃ madyadaṃ tathā | sphuṭitaṃ ravitastāṃmraṃ tāre tāmrapunistathā || 21 ||

Translation

Cloth already laid out for use, a place or seat that is new, anything scorched by fire, and a vessel meant for liquor; likewise cracked utensils, copper reddened by the sun’s heat, and copper repeatedly reheated—these are to be regarded as unfit and impure for sacred use.

Word by Word

• वस्त्रम्: cloth/garment
• वस्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• स्थलम्: ground/place
• स्थलम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• नवम्: new
• नवम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• वह्नि-कहतम्: burnt by fire
• वह्नि-कहतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वह्नि + कहत(=हत) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुष (वह्निना हतम् = burnt by fire)

• मद्य-दम्: giving/providing liquor
• मद्य-दम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मद्य + द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (मद्यं ददाति/दं = giving liquor)

• तथा: also
• तथा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle/adverb): ‘also/likewise’

• स्फुटितम्: split/broken
• स्फुटितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्फुटित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• रवि-तस्ताम्रम्: sun-associated copper
• रवि-तस्ताम्रम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रवि + तस्ताम्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (रवेः तस्ताम्रम् = copper associated with the Sun)

• तारे: in/for Tārā
• तारे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तारा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• ताम्र-पुनिः: Tāmra-puni (a copper-related item/name)
• ताम्र-पुनिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताम्र + पुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (ताम्रसम्बद्धः ‘पुनिः’—पाठानुसार)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle/adverb): ‘likewise’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It emphasizes sāttvika discipline: sacred acts require materials that are fit (śuddha/appropriate), because external purity supports inner steadiness (manas-śuddhi) in Moksha-Dharma practice.

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

Bhakti is expressed through careful offering and reverent conduct; avoiding unsuitable items (like liquor vessels or damaged utensils) protects the sanctity of worship and keeps devotion aligned with dharmic standards.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa (ritual procedure) principles—practical rules about what materials are acceptable for yajña, dāna, and pūjā, especially concerning vessels, metals, and contamination.