Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

Varṇāśrama Saṁskāras, Upanayana Windows, Brahmacārin Ācāra, and Anadhyāya Prohibitions

Devanagari script

आजं वेश्यस्य विज्ञेयं दंडान्वक्ष्ये यथाक्रमम् । पालाशं ब्राह्मणस्योक्तं नृपस्यौदुम्बरं तथा ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

ājaṃ veśyasya vijñeyaṃ daṃḍānvakṣye yathākramam | pālāśaṃ brāhmaṇasyoktaṃ nṛpasyaudumbaraṃ tathā || 18 ||

Translation

Know that the staff (daṇḍa) for a Vaiśya should be made of aja-wood. I shall describe the staves in due order: for a brāhmaṇa it is said to be of palāśa-wood, and for a king (kṣatriya) of udumbara-wood.

Word by Word

• आजम्: goat(-skin)
• आजम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; adjective ‘goat-related’ (with implied ‘अजिनम्’/skin)

• वैश्यस्य: of a Vaiśya
• वैश्यस्य: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन

• विज्ञेयम्: should be understood (as prescribed)
• विज्ञेयम्: विधेय (Predicate/obligation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्यय (gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘should be known/understood’

• दण्डान्: staffs
• दण्डान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन

• वक्ष्ये: I shall state
• वक्ष्ये: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple future), उत्तमपुरुष (1st), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• यथा-क्रमम्: in proper sequence
• यथा-क्रमम्: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Adverbial manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः; ‘in due order’

• पालाशम्: palāśa-wood (staff)
• पालाशम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पालाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; adjective ‘made of palāśa wood’ (with implied ‘दण्डम्’)

• ब्राह्मणस्य: of a Brahmin
• ब्राह्मणस्य: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन

• उक्तम्: is stated
• उक्तम्: विधेय (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्यय (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; predicative ‘is said’

• नृपस्य: of a king (Kṣatriya)
• नृपस्य: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन

• औदुम्बरम्: udumbara-wood (staff)
• औदुम्बरम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: औदुम्बर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; adjective ‘made of udumbara wood’ (with implied ‘दण्डम्’)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकाराव्यय (thus/also)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It emphasizes dharma through correct ritual discipline—using the properly prescribed staff symbolizes self-restraint, right conduct, and alignment with one’s duties (svadharma).

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

Indirectly: bhakti in the Purāṇic framework is supported by dharmic living. Observing prescribed conduct and ritual propriety steadies the mind, making devotion to Vishnu and sacred practice more focused.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is foregrounded: it gives practical rules for ritual implements—here, the correct wood types for daṇḍas according to varṇa.