Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 73

Mantra-Māhātmya and Sādhana of Kārtavīryārjuna

Nyāsa, Yantra, Homa, and Dīpa-Vrata

Devanagari script

आज्ये पलसहस्रे तु पात्रं शतपलं स्मृतम् । आज्येऽयुतपले पात्रं पलपंचशता स्मृतम् ॥ ७३ ॥

Transliteration

ājye palasahasre tu pātraṃ śatapalaṃ smṛtam | ājye'yutapale pātraṃ palapaṃcaśatā smṛtam || 73 ||

Translation

For ghee (ājya) in the measure of one thousand palas, the prescribed vessel (pātra) is said to be one hundred palas. For ghee in the measure of ten thousand palas, the prescribed vessel is said to be five hundred palas.

Word by Word

• ājye: in ghee
• ājye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ājya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• pala-sahasre: at (the measure of) a thousand palas
• pala-sahasre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pala (प्रातिपदिक) + sahasra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative): 'of a thousand palas'

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), adversative/emphatic

• pātram: vessel
• pātram: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• śata-palam: (measuring) one hundred palas
• śata-palam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śata (प्रातिपदिक) + pala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'of one hundred palas' (measure)

• smṛtam: is stated/considered
• smṛtam: Kriyā (क्रिया/predication)
• Type: Verb
• Root: smṛ (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/कृत्), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); used predicatively: 'is said/considered'

• ājye: in ghee
• ājye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ājya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• ayuta-pale: at (the measure of) ten thousand palas
• ayuta-pale: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ayuta (प्रातिपदिक) + pala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'of ten-thousand palas'

• pātram: vessel
• pātram: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• pala-paṃcaśatā: (measuring) five hundred palas
• pala-paṃcaśatā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pala (प्रातिपदिक) + paṃcaśatā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'of five hundred palas' (measure)

• smṛtam: is stated/considered
• smṛtam: Kriyā (क्रिया/predication)
• Type: Verb
• Root: smṛ (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/कृत्), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); predicative

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

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 emphasizes that dharmic ritual action must be grounded in correct pramāṇa (authoritative standards), showing that precision and order are themselves part of sacred discipline.

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

While not directly teaching bhakti, it supports devotion by prescribing careful, respectful handling of offerings (like ghee) used in worship and yajña—devotion expressed through disciplined practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights practical pramāṇa-śāstra style knowledge used in ritual procedure—standardized units (pala) and proportional vessel specifications relevant to kalpa/ritual performance.