Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

Dharmopadeśa-Śānti: Rules of Impurity, Expiations, and Ancestor Rites

Devanagari script

उभयावसितः पापश्यामच्छबलकाच्च्युतः । चान्द्रायणाभ्यां शुद्ध्येत दत्त्वा धेनुं तथा वृषम् ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

ubhayāvasitaḥ pāpaśyāmacchabalakāccyutaḥ | cāndrāyaṇābhyāṃ śuddhyeta dattvā dhenuṃ tathā vṛṣam || 23 ||

Translation

One who has fallen into the offence called “ubhayāvasita,” and has lapsed into the sinful acts termed “pāpaśyāma” and “cchabala,” is purified by performing two Cāndrāyaṇa observances and by gifting a cow and likewise a bull.

Word by Word

• उभय-अवसितः: having had intercourse with both (sexes)
• उभय-अवसितः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उभय (प्रातिपदिक) + अवसित (कृदन्त; √अव-सो/अव-सा)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कृदन्तः—भूतकृदन्त/क्त (past passive participle)

• पाप-श्याम-च्छबलकात्: from a sinful dark-spotted (person/animal)
• पाप-श्याम-च्छबलकात्: अपादान (Apādāna/Ablative source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक) + श्याम (प्रातिपदिक) + छबलक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; समासः—विशेषणपूर्वक कर्मधारयः (pāpa-śyāma-chabalaka)

• च्युतः: fallen/defiled
• च्युतः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: च्युत (कृदन्त; √च्यु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कृदन्तः—क्त (PPP)

• चान्द्रायणाभ्याम्: by (performing) two cāndrāyaṇa observances
• चान्द्रायणाभ्याम्: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चान्द्रायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), द्विवचन; (cāndrāyaṇa-vrata)

• शुद्ध्येत: should become purified
• शुद्ध्येत: क्रिया (Kriyā/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √शुध् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• दत्त्वा: having given
• दत्त्वा: पूर्वकाल (Pūrvakāla/Anterior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive)

• धेनुम्: a cow
• धेनुम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धेनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• तथा: and likewise
• तथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थ (adverb: ‘thus/also’)

• वृषम्: a bull
• वृषम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Cāndrāyaṇa (two observances)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Cāndrāyaṇa

FAQs

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

It frames purification as a disciplined combination of vrata (Cāndrāyaṇa penance) and dāna (gifting a cow and bull), emphasizing inner restraint supported by outward restitution.

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

While primarily a dharma–prāyaścitta instruction, it supports bhakti by removing obstacles (pāpa) through regulated penance and charitable giving, preparing the practitioner for steadier worship and remembrance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied through the prescription of the Cāndrāyaṇa vrata and dāna as formal expiations, reflecting applied dharma-ritual science rather than grammar or astrology.