Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 32

Śrāddha-prayoga: Niyama, Brāhmaṇa-parīkṣā, Kutapa-kāla, Tithi-nyāya, and Vaiṣṇava-phala

Devanagari script

देवतार्थं च पित्रर्थमेकैकं वा निमंत्रयेत् । श्राद्धार्थं समनुज्ञातः कारयेन्मंडलद्वयम् ॥ ३२ ॥

Transliteration

devatārthaṃ ca pitrarthamekaikaṃ vā nimaṃtrayet | śrāddhārthaṃ samanujñātaḥ kārayenmaṃḍaladvayam || 32 ||

Translation

For the sake of the Devas and for the sake of the Pitṛs (ancestors), one should invite them—either together or each separately. Having obtained consent for the Śrāddha rite, he should have two ritual maṇḍalas prepared.

Word by Word

• देवतार्थम्: for the purpose of the deities
• देवतार्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवता + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (देवतायाः अर्थः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• पितृ-अर्थम्: for the purpose of the ancestors
• पितृ-अर्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पितॄणाम् अर्थः)

• एक-एकम्: each one (individually)
• एक-एकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक + एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (one and one → each one)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्प-अव्यय (particle of option)

• निमन्त्रयेत्: should invite
• निमन्त्रयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + मन्त्र् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• श्राद्ध-अर्थम्: for the śrāddha rite
• श्राद्ध-अर्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (श्राद्धस्य अर्थः)

• समनुज्ञातः: having been duly permitted
• समनुज्ञातः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + अनु + ज्ञा (धातु) + क्त (प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय, past passive participle), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (one who is) duly permitted/authorized

• कारयेत्: should cause to be made / should have made
• कारयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + णिच् (causative)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिजन्त (causative)

• मण्डल-द्वयम्: a pair of maṇḍalas
• मण्डल-द्वयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मण्डल + द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (two circles/diagrams)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Devatāḥ
• Pitṛs

FAQs

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

It distinguishes two sacred recipients in Śrāddha—Devatās and Pitṛs—and emphasizes orderly invitation and proper ritual preparation (two separate maṇḍalas), reflecting reverence and precision in ancestral rites.

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

Though primarily ritual-focused, it supports bhakti through disciplined honoring of divine beings (Devatās) alongside gratitude to ancestors (Pitṛs), cultivating humility, remembrance, and sacred duty as devotional attitudes.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights kalpa/ritual procedure (a Vedāṅga domain): formal invitation (nimantraṇa), seeking due authorization (anujñā), and arranging distinct ritual spaces (maṇḍala-dvaya) for correct performance.