Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 128

The Exposition of the Krishna Mantra (Kṛṣṇa-mantra-prakāśa): Nyāsa, Dhyāna, Worship, Yantra, and Prayoga

Devanagari script

अपूपा मोदका लाजाः पृथुका नवनीतकम् । द्रव्यषोडशकं ह्येतत्कथितं पद्मजादिभिः ॥ १२८ ॥

Transliteration

apūpā modakā lājāḥ pṛthukā navanītakam | dravyaṣoḍaśakaṃ hyetatkathitaṃ padmajādibhiḥ || 128 ||

Translation

Cakes (apūpa), sweet dumplings (modaka), parched grains (lāja), flattened rice (pṛthukā), and fresh butter (navanīta)—these are (among) the sixteen ritual substances, as declared by Padmajā (Brahmā) and the other sages and deities.

Word by Word

• अपूपाः: cakes (apūpa)
• अपूपाः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• मोदकाः: sweet balls (modaka)
• मोदकाः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मोदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• लाजाः: parched rice
• लाजाः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लाजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• पृथुकाः: flattened rice
• पृथुकाः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• नवनीतकम्: butter
• नवनीतकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नवनीतक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• द्रव्य-षोडशकम्: the set of sixteen materials
• द्रव्य-षोडशकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रव्य (प्रातिपदिक) + षोडशक (प्रातिपदिक) (समास)
• Form: द्विगु-समास (numerical): ‘षोडश द्रव्याणि’ (set of sixteen items); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चय/हेतुबोधक (particle: indeed)

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• कथितम्: has been stated
• कथितम्: Kriya (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथ् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle): नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मणि भाव (stated/said)

• पद्मज-आदिभिः: by Brahmā and others
• पद्मज-आदिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद्मज (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक) (समास)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (determinative): ‘पद्मजः आदिः येषाम्’ (Brahmā and others); पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया (instrumental), बहुवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a technical/ritual context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Brahma (Padmaja)

FAQs

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

It standardizes specific edible offerings as part of an authoritative “sixteen-substance” (dravya-ṣoḍaśaka) framework, emphasizing that devotion and ritual efficacy are supported by correct, traditional materials.

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

Bhakti here is expressed through proper upacāra (devotional service) using accepted naivedya items; offering food like modaka, apūpa, and butter becomes a tangible act of reverence aligned with scriptural injunction.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects ritual codification—how offerings are categorized and prescribed—supporting correct karmakāṇḍa procedure (useful for kalpa-style practice and precise ritual performance).