Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 52

The Exposition of Spiritual Knowledge

Jñāna-pradarśanam

Devanagari script

शीर्णस्फुटितसम्धानं कुरु देवगृहे सदा । मार्गशोभां च दीपं च विष्णोरायतने कुरु ॥ ५२ ॥

Transliteration

śīrṇasphuṭitasamdhānaṃ kuru devagṛhe sadā | mārgaśobhāṃ ca dīpaṃ ca viṣṇorāyatane kuru || 52 ||

Translation

Always repair what is worn out or cracked in the Lord’s temple; and in Viṣṇu’s shrine, arrange for the beautification of the approach-path and the lighting of lamps.

Word by Word

• शीर्ण-स्फुटित-सन्धानम्: repair of worn/cracked parts
• शीर्ण-स्फुटित-सन्धानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शीर्ण (कृदन्त; शॄ/शृ धातु) + स्फुटित (कृदन्त; स्फुट् धातु) + सन्धान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-प्रायः: 'repairing of what is worn and cracked' (qualifying sadhāna)

• कुरु: do
• कुरु: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार, मध्यम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• देव-गृहे: in the temple (house of God)
• देव-गृहे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + गृह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (devasya gṛham)

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time): 'always'

• मार्ग-शोभाम्: beautification of the path
• मार्ग-शोभाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + शोभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (mārgasya śobhā)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

• दीपम्: lamp
• दीपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

• विष्णोः: of Viṣṇu
• विष्णोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• आयतने: in the shrine/abode
• आयतने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयतन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• कुरु: do
• कुरु: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार, मध्यम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It teaches that bhakti is expressed through practical seva—maintaining the deity’s temple, restoring damage, and offering light—actions that cultivate purity, reverence, and merit (puṇya).

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

Bhakti is shown as attentive care for Viṣṇu’s abode: repairing what is broken, beautifying the approach, and keeping lamps lit—devotion made tangible through service rather than mere speech.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects practical ritual discipline (kalpa-style temple procedure): upkeep of sacred space and dīpa-dāna (lamp offering), emphasizing orderly worship and regular maintenance as part of dharma.