Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 62

Dīpa-vidhi-vyākhyānam

Procedure for Lamp-Offering to Hanumān

Devanagari script

स्त्रीवश्यादिषु कार्येषु शस्तं गोगोमयं मने । भूमिस्पृष्टं न तद्ग्राह्यमंतरिक्षाञ्च भाजने ॥ ६२ ॥

Transliteration

strīvaśyādiṣu kāryeṣu śastaṃ gogomayaṃ mane | bhūmispṛṣṭaṃ na tadgrāhyamaṃtarikṣāñca bhājane || 62 ||

Translation

For rites such as those meant to win a woman’s favor and similar aims, cow-dung is regarded as the prescribed purifying substance. Yet if it has touched the ground it should not be taken up; it should be kept in a vessel not in contact with the earth (held above the ground).

Word by Word

• स्त्रीवश्यादिषु: in (acts) like winning over women etc.
• स्त्रीवश्यादिषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्रीवश्य + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (स्त्रीवश्यं आदि यस्मिन्/ये = such as subjugating women etc.), पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; locative plural ‘in (matters) like…’

• कार्येषु: in tasks/rites
• कार्येषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; locative plural

• शस्तम्: recommended
• शस्तम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √शंस् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त) / शस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle) ‘praised/recommended’, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; agreeing with गोगोमयम्

• गोगोमयम्: cow-dung
• गोगोमयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो + गोमय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (गोस्य गोमयम् = cow’s dung), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• मने: I consider
• मने: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √मन् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; ‘I think/consider’

• भूमिस्पृष्टम्: touched by the ground
• भूमिस्पृष्टम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भूमि + स्पृष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (भूम्या स्पृष्टम् = touched by ground), भूतकृदन्त (√स्पृश् + क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; qualifying (तत्/गोगोमयम्)

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेधार्थक निपात (negation)

• तत्: that (thing)
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘that/it’

• ग्राह्यम्: to be accepted/taken
• ग्राह्यम्: Vidheyaviśeṣaṇa (विधेयविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √ग्रह् (धातु) + यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: भाव्य/योग्यतार्थक कृदन्त (gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘to be taken/acceptable’

• अन्तरिक्षात्: from above (off the ground)
• अन्तरिक्षात्: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्तरिक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb) from अन्तरिक्ष; ‘from mid-air/above ground’

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (conjunction)

• भाजने: in a vessel
• भाजने: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; locative ‘in a vessel/container’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It emphasizes śauca (ritual purity): even a purifying substance like gomaya must be handled correctly, showing that intention in rites must be supported by disciplined procedure.

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

Indirectly, it teaches that devotion is expressed through careful observance of dharmic discipline; purity in external acts supports inner steadiness, which is favorable for worship and mantra practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedural knowledge (prayoga) connected with kalpa-style rules: material purity standards, contamination by contact with the ground, and proper storage/handling in a vessel.