Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 66

Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa

Devanagari script

दिनद्वये ब्रह्महत्याव्रतं कुर्याद्यथाविधि । एकस्मिन्नेव दिवसे बहुवारं त्रिवार्षिकम् ॥ ६६ ॥

Transliteration

dinadvaye brahmahatyāvrataṃ kuryādyathāvidhi | ekasminneva divase bahuvāraṃ trivārṣikam || 66 ||

Translation

He should perform the expiatory vow for brahmahatyā (the sin of slaying a brāhmaṇa) in the prescribed manner over two days; and, in a single day, he should repeat many times the rite that is otherwise to be observed for three years.

Word by Word

• dina-dvaye: in two days
• dina-dvaye: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dina (प्रातिपदिक) + dvi (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; द्विगु-समास ‘द्विदिनम्’; अधिकरण

• brahma-hatyā-vratam: the brahmahatyā expiation-vow
• brahma-hatyā-vratam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + hatyā (प्रातिपदिक) + vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी/कर्मधारय-भाव) ‘ब्रह्महत्यायाः व्रतम्’ (vow for expiation of brahma-slaughter); कर्म

• kuryāt: should perform
• kuryāt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (कृ) (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; ‘should do/perform’

• yathā-vidhi: according to rule
• yathā-vidhi: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययवत् प्रयोग (indeclinable adverbial) ‘विधिना यथा’

• ekasmin: in one
• ekasmin: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; ‘दिवसे’ विशेषण; अधिकरण

• eva: only/indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (emphatic ‘only/indeed’)

• divase: in a day
• divase: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: divasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• bahu-vāram: many times
• bahu-vāram: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bahu (प्रातिपदिक) + vāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययवत् (adverb) ‘बहुवारम्’ = many times

• tri-vārṣikam: three-year (penance)
• tri-vārṣikam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + vārṣika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; द्विगु ‘त्रिवर्षिकम्’ (three-year [penance]); (elliptically qualifying ‘व्रतम्’)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: brahmahatyā-vrata (expiatory vow)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It emphasizes strict adherence to vidhi (scriptural procedure) in prayāścitta, teaching that purification is achieved through disciplined, correctly performed vrata rather than mere intention.

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

Bhakti is not directly taught here; the verse focuses on dharma through expiation. Indirectly, it supports devotional life by prescribing purification practices that restore eligibility for worship and sacred duties.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied through “yathāvidhi,” highlighting the importance of correct rule-based performance of vows and expiations.