Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

अगुंष्ठानामिकाभ्यां च चक्षुः श्रोत्रे यथाक्रमम् । कनिष्ठांगुष्ठयोगेन नाभिदेशे स्पृशेद्द्विजः ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

aguṃṣṭhānāmikābhyāṃ ca cakṣuḥ śrotre yathākramam | kaniṣṭhāṃguṣṭhayogena nābhideśe spṛśeddvijaḥ || 21 ||

Translation

Using the thumb and ring-finger, the twice-born should touch the eyes and the ears respectively, in due order; and joining the little finger with the thumb, he should touch the region of the navel.

Word by Word

• अङ्गुष्ठ-अनामिकाभ्याम्: with the thumb and ring finger
• अङ्गुष्ठ-अनामिकाभ्याम्: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक) + अनामिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (अनामिका-प्रधान), तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्व-समासः (अङ्गुष्ठः च अनामिका च)

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

• चक्षुः: the eye
• चक्षुः: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्षुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• श्रोत्रे: the two ears
• श्रोत्रे: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रोत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), द्विवचन

• यथा-क्रमम्: in due order
• यथा-क्रमम्: क्रियाविशेषण (manner/order)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समासः; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb): ‘क्रमानुसारम्’

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

• नाभि-देशे: at the navel region
• नाभि-देशे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाभि (प्रातिपदिक) + देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (नाभेः देशः)

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

• द्विजः: the twice-born (Brahmin)
• द्विजः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (teaching ritual procedure, in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Dvija

FAQs

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

It teaches disciplined, sequential bodily gestures used for purification and mental focus, aligning the practitioner’s senses and vital center (navel) with the intended sacred act.

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

While procedural, it supports bhakti by preparing the body and senses—eyes and ears (seeing and hearing)—so devotion can be practiced with steadiness and reverence rather than distraction.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Shiksha-style ritual discipline—precise sequencing and bodily coordination used alongside mantra practice, emphasizing correct method (yathākramam) in rites.