Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38

Gaṇeśa Mantra-vidhi: Mahāgaṇapati Gāyatrī, Vakratuṇḍa Mantra, Nyāsa, Homa, Āvaraṇa-pūjā, and Caturthī Vrata

Devanagari script

उदुंम्बरोत्थैर्नृपतीन्वैश्यान्प्लक्षसमुद्भवैः । वटोद्भवैः समिद्भिश्च वशयेदंतिमान्बुधः ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

uduṃmbarotthairnṛpatīnvaiśyānplakṣasamudbhavaiḥ | vaṭodbhavaiḥ samidbhiśca vaśayedaṃtimānbudhaḥ || 38 ||

Translation

Using fuel-sticks (samidh) from the udumbara tree, a wise practitioner may bring kings under control; with those born of the plakṣa tree, the vaiśyas; and with samidh from the vaṭa (banyan) tree, he may subdue those of the lowest rank.

Word by Word

• उदुम्बर-उत्थैः: with udumbara-derived (sticks/offerings)
• उदुम्बर-उत्थैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उदुम्बर (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थे (उदुम्बरात्/उदुम्बरस्य उत्थाः); पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Instrumental plural ‘with (things) arisen from udumbara’

• नृपतीन्: kings
• नृपतीन्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृपति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Accusative plural

• वैश्यान्: vaiśyas
• वैश्यान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Accusative plural

• प्लक्ष-समुद्भवैः: with plakṣa-produced (sticks/offerings)
• प्लक्ष-समुद्भवैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्लक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + समुद्भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Instrumental plural ‘with (things) produced from plakṣa’

• वट-उद्भवैः: with banyan-derived (sticks/offerings)
• वट-उद्भवैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वट (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Instrumental plural ‘with (things) arisen from banyan’

• समिद्भिः: with kindling-sticks
• समिद्भिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समिध् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Instrumental plural ‘with fuel-sticks’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-बोधक — conjunction ‘and’

• वशयेत्: should bring under control
• वशयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन — ‘should subdue/control’

• अन्तिमान्: the last/lowest (people)
• अन्तिमान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तिम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Accusative plural; ‘the last/lowest’ (as a group)

• बुधः: the wise person
• बुधः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Nominative singular

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a technical-ritual context, traditionally in dialogue framework with Sanatkumara)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It reflects the Purana’s technical (Vedanga-linked) ritual mapping where specific natural substances—here, samidh from particular trees—are assigned precise ritual effects, emphasizing disciplined procedure and correct materials in fire-rites.

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

This verse is primarily procedural rather than devotional; indirectly, it shows that even technical rites are expected to be performed with scriptural fidelity and restraint, which in the Purana’s broader frame supports dharmic conduct that can accompany Vishnu-bhakti.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Applied ritual science—selection of samidh (homa fuel) by prescribed botanical source for a stated result—illustrating the technical, rule-based side of Vedic practice aligned with Kalpa-type ritual method.