Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 74

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

Devanagari script

आशीर्वचो लभेत्तेभ्यो नमस्कारं चरेत्ततः । दद्याच्च दक्षिणां शक्त्या तांबूलं गंधसंयुतम् ॥ ७४ ॥

Transliteration

āśīrvaco labhettebhyo namaskāraṃ carettataḥ | dadyācca dakṣiṇāṃ śaktyā tāṃbūlaṃ gaṃdhasaṃyutam || 74 ||

Translation

One should receive blessings from them and then offer respectful salutations. Thereafter, according to one’s capacity, one should give dakṣiṇā (an honorarium) and offer tāmbūla (betel) together with fragrant substances.

Word by Word

• आशीर्वचः: a blessing
• आशीर्वचः: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आशीर्वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘आशीर्वचस्’ (blessing)

• लभेत्: should obtain
• लभेत्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• तेभ्यः: from them
• तेभ्यः: अपादान (Apādāna/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), बहुवचन; अपादान (ablative)

• नमस्कारम्: salutation
• नमस्कारम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नमस्कार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• चरेत्: should perform
• चरेत्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रम/अनन्तरवाचक (adverb of sequence)

• दद्यात्: should give
• दद्यात्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

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

• दक्षिणाम्: a fee/gift (dakṣiṇā)
• दक्षिणाम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• शक्त्या: according to (one’s) ability
• शक्त्या: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; ‘according to ability’ (instrumental of manner)

• ताम्बूलम्: betel (offering)
• ताम्बूलम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताम्बूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• गन्ध-संयुतम्: accompanied with fragrance
• गन्ध-संयुतम्: कर्मविशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + संयुत (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (गन्धेन संयुतम् = endowed with fragrance)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It teaches dharmic etiquette: humbly receiving blessings, offering reverence, and completing hospitality with appropriate gifts—actions that cultivate gratitude, humility, and merit (puṇya).

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

By honoring the worthy with humility and service, one refines the heart (śuddhi) that supports Vishnu-bhakti; reverence and giving become practical expressions of devotion and surrender.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects ritual conduct and formal procedure (kalpa-style sadācāra): receiving āśīrvāda, performing namaskāra, and giving dakṣiṇā—key components of proper religious and social rites.