Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

Yajñamālī–Sumālī Upākhyāna: Merit-Transfer through Temple Plastering (Lepa) and the Redemption of a Sinner

Devanagari script

विश्राणितं धनं सर्वं यज्ञमालेर्महात्मनः । सत्पात्रदाननिष्टस्य धर्ममार्गप्रवर्तिनः ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

viśrāṇitaṃ dhanaṃ sarvaṃ yajñamālermahātmanaḥ | satpātradānaniṣṭasya dharmamārgapravartinaḥ || 18 ||

Translation

The great-souled Yajñamāli distributed all his wealth in charity—steadfast in giving to worthy recipients and devoted to setting the path of Dharma in motion.

Word by Word

• विश्राणितम्: bestowed
• विश्राणितम्: कर्मविशेषण (Karma-viśeṣaṇa/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्राण्/श्रण् (धातु) + वि- (उपसर्ग) → विश्राणित (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — Past passive participle: ‘bestowed/distributed’ agreeing with ‘धनम्’

• धनम्: wealth
• धनम्: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — Nominative singular (topic/subject of nominal clause)

• सर्वम्: all
• सर्वम्: कर्तृविशेषण (Kartṛ-viśeṣaṇa/Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — Nominative singular; qualifying ‘धनम्’

• यज्ञमालेः: of Yajñamālī
• यज्ञमालेः: षष्ठीसम्बन्ध (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्ञमालिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन — Genitive singular ‘of Yajñamālī’

• महात्मनः: of the great-souled (man)
• महात्मनः: षष्ठीसम्बन्ध (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन — Karmadhāraya: ‘great-souled’; genitive singular (apposition to यज्ञमालेः)

• सत्पात्रदाननिष्टस्य: of one devoted to giving to worthy recipients
• सत्पात्रदाननिष्टस्य: षष्ठीसम्बन्ध (Genitive attribute/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक) + पात्र (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक) + निष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन — Tatpuruṣa: सत्-पात्र-दान-निष्ठ ‘steadfast in giving to worthy recipients’; genitive singular qualifying Yajñamālī

• धर्ममार्गप्रवर्तिनः: of the promoter of the path of dharma
• धर्ममार्गप्रवर्तिनः: षष्ठीसम्बन्ध (Genitive attribute/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रवर्तिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन — Tatpuruṣa: ‘one who sets in motion/propagates the path of dharma’; genitive singular

Speaker

Narada (narrative voice within the Narada Purana tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

Characters & Entities

• Yajñamāli
• Dharma

FAQs

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

It presents dāna as a Dharma-building force: wealth becomes spiritually meaningful when it is consciously distributed, especially to worthy recipients, thereby strengthening the social and moral order.

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

While not explicitly naming Vishnu-bhakti, it reflects a core bhakti ethic—offering one’s resources selflessly and righteously—since sincere devotion is expressed through compassionate, dharmic action like satpātra-dāna.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes dharmic discipline in practice—particularly the rule of satpātra (proper eligibility of recipients) central to ritual ethics; it aligns with Dharma-śāstra style guidance often applied alongside kalpa-oriented ritual decision-making.