Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

Dīpa-vidhi-vyākhyānam

Procedure for Lamp-Offering to Hanumān

Devanagari script

वर्तिकायां प्रकर्त्तव्यास्तंतवस्तत्प्रमाणकाः । तत्त्रिंशांशेन वा ग्राह्या गुरुकार्येऽखिलाढ्यता ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

vartikāyāṃ prakarttavyāstaṃtavastatpramāṇakāḥ | tattriṃśāṃśena vā grāhyā gurukārye'khilāḍhyatā || 23 ||

Translation

In the measuring cord (vartikā), threads should be prepared in accordance with that prescribed measure; or they may be taken as one-thirtieth of it. In major works, complete provision of materials and measure is required.

Word by Word

• वर्तिकायाम्: in the wick
• वर्तिकायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्तिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (in the wick)

• प्रकर्तव्याः: should be made
• प्रकर्तव्याः: Karya (कार्य/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + कृ (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृत्)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्ययान्त (तव्यत्) विधेयार्थ; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (to be made/should be prepared)

• तन्तवः: threads
• तन्तवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तन्तु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• तत्-प्रमाणकाः: of that measure
• तत्-प्रमाणकाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + प्रमाणक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (तत्प्रमाणं येषाम्); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (of that measure)

• तत्: then/there
• तत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् प्रयोग; निर्देशार्थ निपात (there/then; in that case)

• त्रिंश-अंशेन: by one-thirtieth
• त्रिंश-अंशेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रिंशत् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + अंश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (त्रिंशदंशः); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन (by a thirtieth part)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक निपात (or)

• ग्राह्याः: should be taken
• ग्राह्याः: Karya (कार्य/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु) + यत् (कृत्)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्ययान्त (यत्) विधेयार्थ; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (to be taken/should be adopted)

• गुरु-कार्ये: in a major task
• गुरु-कार्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक) + कार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (गुरोः कार्यम्/गुरुकार्य); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (in an important/heavy task)

• अखिल-आढ्यता: complete abundance
• अखिल-आढ्यता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अखिल (प्रातिपदिक) + आढ्यता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (अखिला आढ्यता); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (complete abundance)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada on technical/Vedanga-aligned procedure)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that dharmic works and rites must be performed with correct standards (pramāṇa), because precision in means supports purity of intention and correctness of the act.

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

While not directly preaching bhakti, it supports devotional practice by insisting that offerings and sacred tasks be done carefully and completely—discipline and accuracy become a form of reverence in service.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa-style procedural knowledge: preparing a measuring cord (vartikā) and using proportional measurement (one-thirtieth) for correct construction/ritual setup, especially in major undertakings.