Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20
The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances
Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi
निमज्य क्षालयेत्सम्यग् मलस्नानमितीरितम् । विभाव्येष्टमयं सर्वमान्तरं स्नानमाचरेत् ॥ २० ॥
nimajya kṣālayetsamyag malasnānamitīritam | vibhāvyeṣṭamayaṃ sarvamāntaraṃ snānamācaret || 20 ||
After immersing, one should wash oneself thoroughly—this is called “bathing that removes impurity.” Then, contemplating everything as filled with the presence of the Beloved, the chosen Deity, one should perform the inner bath, the purification of the mind.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that outward cleanliness (malasnāna) should be completed by inward purification (āntara snāna), where the mind is cleansed through sacred contemplation—making the ritual spiritually effective, not merely physical.
By instructing one to contemplate all as “iṣṭamaya” (pervaded by one’s chosen Deity), it turns bathing into devotional recollection and God-centered vision, a practical bhakti discipline integrated into daily ritual.
It highlights ritual procedure and purity-discipline (śauca and snāna-vidhi) that supports Vedic practice—linking correct external action with internal mental orientation, a key principle in technical dharma instruction.