Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

Dhvajāropaṇa and Dhvajāgopaṇa: Procedure, Stotra, and Phala (Merit) of Raising Viṣṇu’s Flag

Devanagari script

ध्वजस्तम्भो च गायत्र्या प्रोक्षयेद्वस्त्रसंयुतौ । सूर्यं च वैनतेयं च हिमांशुं तत्परोऽर्चयेत् ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

dhvajastambho ca gāyatryā prokṣayedvastrasaṃyutau | sūryaṃ ca vainateyaṃ ca himāṃśuṃ tatparo'rcayet || 11 ||

Translation

He should sprinkle and consecrate the banner and the flagstaff, together with their cloth coverings, while reciting the Gāyatrī. Then, with focused devotion, he should worship Sūrya, Vainateya (Garuḍa), and Himāṃśu (the Moon).

Word by Word

• ध्वज-स्तम्भौ: the flag and the pole
• ध्वज-स्तम्भौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वज (प्रातिपदिक) + स्तम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Dual; ‘flag and pillar’ (pair as objects of sprinkling)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• गायत्र्या: with the Gāyatrī (mantra)
• गायत्र्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गायत्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; ‘with the Gāyatrī (mantra)’

• प्रोक्षयेत्: should sprinkle
• प्रोक्षयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-उक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: Optative/विधिलिङ्, 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular, Parasmaipada; ‘should sprinkle’

• वस्त्र-संयुतौ: clothed/with cloth attached
• वस्त्र-संयुतौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + संयुत (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Dual; adjective qualifying ध्वज-स्तम्भौ: ‘endowed with cloth/with garments attached’

• सूर्यम्: the Sun (deity)
• सूर्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• वैनतेयम्: Vainateya (Garuḍa)
• वैनतेयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैनतेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; epithet of Garuḍa

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• हिमांशुम्: the Moon
• हिमांशुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हिमांशु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; ‘moon’

• तत्-परः: being intent on that
• तत्-परः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; ‘intent on that/with mind fixed on that (worship)’

• अर्चयेत्: should worship
• अर्चयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: Optative/विधिलिङ्, 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular, Parasmaipada; ‘should worship’

Speaker

Nārada (teaching in a dialogue context associated with Sanatkumāra traditions)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Gāyatrī
• Sūrya
• Vainateya (Garuḍa)
• Himāṃśu (Candra)

FAQs

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

It links outer consecration (sprinkling the banner and flagstaff with mantra) with inner steadiness (tat-paraḥ), showing that ritual purity and focused devotion together complete worship.

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

Bhakti appears as single-pointed intent—after the formal act of prokṣaṇa with Gāyatrī, the worshipper is instructed to adore divine powers with attentiveness, not mere mechanical ritual.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights mantra-prayoga and ritual procedure (kalpa-style application): prokṣaṇa (sprinkling for purification) done with a specific Vedic mantra (Gāyatrī) before commencing deity worship.