Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34

Hanūmaccarita

The Account of Hanumān

Devanagari script

सर्वे शुक्लांबरधरा भस्मोद्धूलितविग्रहाः । सितेन भस्मना कृत्वा सर्वस्थाने त्रिपुंड्रकम् ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

sarve śuklāṃbaradharā bhasmoddhūlitavigrahāḥ | sitena bhasmanā kṛtvā sarvasthāne tripuṃḍrakam || 34 ||

Translation

All of them, clad in white garments and with their bodies smeared with sacred ash (bhasma), should, with pure white ash, apply the triple ash-mark (tripuṇḍra) on all the prescribed parts of the body.

Word by Word

• सर्वे: all (of them)
• सर्वे: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nom/1st), बहुवचन

• शुक्ल-अम्बर-धराः: wearing white garments
• शुक्ल-अम्बर-धराः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुक्ल (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्बर (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष समास (शुक्लम् अम्बरम् धरन्ति), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• भस्म-उद्धूलित-विग्रहाः: with bodies smeared with ash
• भस्म-उद्धूलित-विग्रहाः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भस्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्धूलित (कृदन्त) + विग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष समास (भस्मना उद्धूलितः विग्रहः येषाम्), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• सितेन: with white
• सितेन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Inst/3rd), एकवचन; भस्मना इति सह साधनम्

• भस्मना: with ash
• भस्मना: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भस्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Inst/3rd), एकवचन

• कृत्वा: having made/applied
• कृत्वा: पूर्वकाल क्रिया (Pūrvakāla-kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु) + क्त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive), ‘having made/done’

• सर्व-स्थाने: on all places (of the body)
• सर्व-स्थाने: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष समास (सर्वेषु स्थानेषु), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Loc/7th), एकवचन

• त्रि-पुण्ड्रकम्: the triple mark (tripuṇḍra)
• त्रि-पुण्ड्रकम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक) + पुण्ड्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु समास (त्रीणि पुण्ड्रकानि यस्य/त्रयः रेखाः), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Acc/2nd), एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within a ritual/observance description)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It presents sacred ash (bhasma) and the tripuṇḍra as outward disciplines that embody inner purity, restraint, and devotion—making the body itself a sanctified field for worship.

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

By prescribing visible devotional marks—white clothing, vibhūti, and tripuṇḍra—it emphasizes steady remembrance and identity as a devotee, where daily conduct supports continuous bhakti.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Practical ritual procedure (prayoga) and rules of bodily application of sacred substances are highlighted—an applied, technical discipline aligned with Vedic ritual systems and observance manuals.