Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 77

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

एवं सन्तर्प्य विप्रेन्द्र दत्त्वार्घ्यं च विवस्वते । पूजागारं समागत्य प्रक्षाल्यान्घ्री उपस्पृशेत् ॥ ७७ ॥

Transliteration

evaṃ santarpya viprendra dattvārghyaṃ ca vivasvate | pūjāgāraṃ samāgatya prakṣālyānghrī upaspṛśet || 77 ||

Translation

Thus, O best of brāhmaṇas, having duly performed the rite and offered arghya to Vivasvān (the Sun), one should come to the place of worship; washing the feet, one should perform ācamana (ritual sipping for purification).

Word by Word

• evaṃ: thus
• evaṃ: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evaṃ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (क्रियाविशेषण): 'thus/in this manner'

• santarpya: having satisfied
• santarpya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: tṛp (तृप् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), with prefix sam-: 'having satisfied'

• vipra-indra: O best of brāhmaṇas
• vipra-indra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa used as address: 'chief of brāhmaṇas'

• dattvā: having offered
• dattvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (दा धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त): 'having given/offered'

• arghyam: arghya-offering (water/oblation of respect)
• arghyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arghya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• vivasvate: to Vivasvān (the Sun)
• vivasvate: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vivasvat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन)

• pūjā-gāram: the worship-room
• pūjā-gāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūjā + gāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'worship-house/temple room' (पूजायाः आगारम्)

• samāgatya: having arrived
• samāgatya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (गम् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), with prefix sam-ā-: 'having come/arrived'

• prakṣālya: having washed
• prakṣālya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṣāl (क्षाल् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), with prefix pra-: 'having washed'

• aṅghrī: (his) two feet
• aṅghrī: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṅghri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Dual (द्विवचन)

• upaspṛśet: should perform ritual touching/ācamana
• upaspṛśet: Vidhi-kriyā (विधेयक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: spṛś (स्पृश् धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); with prefix upa-: 'should touch (ritually), perform ācamana/ablution-touch'

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vivasvan (Surya)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes śauca (purity) and proper sequence in worship: honoring Sūrya with arghya and then entering the worship space only after bodily and ritual purification, making the mind fit for devotion.

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

Bhakti is supported by disciplined practice—respectful offerings (arghya) and clean, mindful preparation (washing feet and ācamana) that cultivate reverence and steadiness before pūjā.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects kalpa/prayoga (ritual procedure) and śauca rules: the prescribed steps of arghya to Sūrya, entering the pūjāgāra, washing the feet, and performing ācamana as a standard preparatory rite.