Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

Gṛhastha-nitya-karman: Śauca, Sandhyā-vidhi, Pañca-yajña, and Āśrama-krama

Devanagari script

द्विर्मार्जयेत्कपोलं च तलेनोष्ठौ च सत्तम । तर्जन्यंगुष्ठयोगेन नासारंध्रद्वयं स्पृशेत् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

dvirmārjayetkapolaṃ ca talenoṣṭhau ca sattama | tarjanyaṃguṣṭhayogena nāsāraṃdhradvayaṃ spṛśet || 20 ||

Translation

O best of the virtuous, one should wipe the cheeks twice and also wipe the lips with the palm; then, joining the forefinger and thumb, one should touch both nostrils.

Word by Word

• द्विः: twice
• द्विः: क्रियाविशेषण (frequency)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्विः (अव्यय)
• Form: संख्या-अव्यय (numeral adverb: twice)

• मार्जयेत्: should wipe/clean
• मार्जयेत्: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मृज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• कपोलम्: cheek
• कपोलम्: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपोल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• तलेन: with the palm
• तलेन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• ओष्ठौ: the two lips
• ओष्ठौ: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ओष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), द्विवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• सत्तम: O best one
• सत्तम: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्तम (प्रातिपदिक; सत् + तमप्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-प्रथमा (Vocative), एकवचन; उत्तम-विशेषण-प्रयोग

• तर्जनी-अङ्गुष्ठ-योगेन: with the joining of index finger and thumb
• तर्जनी-अङ्गुष्ठ-योगेन: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तर्जनी (प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्गुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक) + योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (‘तर्जन्या अङ्गुष्ठस्य योगः’/‘तर्जन्यङ्गुष्ठयोः योगः’ अर्थे)

• नासा-रन्ध्र-द्वयम्: the two nostrils
• नासा-रन्ध्र-द्वयम्: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नासा (प्रातिपदिक) + रन्ध्र (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (नासायाः रन्ध्रयोः द्वयम्)

• स्पृशेत्: should touch
• स्पृशेत्: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्पृश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It teaches shauca (ritual cleanliness) through precise bodily actions, emphasizing that inner worship is supported by disciplined external purification and correct procedure.

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

By prescribing careful preparatory acts, the verse frames bhakti as a practice requiring attentiveness and purity, making the devotee fit for japa, puja, and remembrance of the Divine.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Shiksha/kalpa-style procedural precision—how specific gestures and sequences are performed as part of ritual discipline and correct observance.