Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 122

Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa

The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala

Devanagari script

अरुणैः पंकजैर्होमं कुर्वंस्त्रिमधुराप्लुतैः । मंडलाल्लभते लक्ष्मीं महतीं श्लाध्यविग्रहाम् ॥ १२२ ॥

Transliteration

aruṇaiḥ paṃkajairhomaṃ kurvaṃstrimadhurāplutaiḥ | maṃḍalāllabhate lakṣmīṃ mahatīṃ ślādhyavigrahām || 122 ||

Translation

Performing the homa with red lotuses, each moistened with the three sweet substances, one obtains from that maṇḍala great prosperity—Lakṣmī—endowed with an admirable and praiseworthy form.

Word by Word

• aruṇaiḥ: with red (ones)
• aruṇaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aruṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुं), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• paṃkajaiḥ: with lotuses
• paṃkajaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paṃkaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• homam: homa offering
• homam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: homa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• kurvan: doing/performing
• kurvan: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• tri-madhura-āplutaiḥ: with (items) soaked in three sweet substances
• tri-madhura-āplutaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक) + madhura (प्रातिपदिक) + āpluta (कृदन्त; √plu/प्लु with ā-)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुं), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); āpluta='immersed/saturated' (क्त); समासः—madhura-āpluta (तत्पुरुष) with tri as numeral qualifier

• maṃḍalāt: from the circle/region (mandala)
• maṃḍalāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maṃḍala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• labhate: obtains
• labhate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: labh (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

• lakṣmīm: prosperity/fortune
• lakṣmīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• mahatīm: great
• mahatīm: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ślādhya-vigrahām: having a praiseworthy form
• ślādhya-vigrahām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ślādhya (प्रातिपदिक) + vigraha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारयः—ślādhyaḥ vigrahaḥ yasyāḥ sā (praiseworthy form)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmi

FAQs

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

It teaches a specific homa-vidhi where purity of offerings (red lotus and tri-madhura) and correct ritual framework (maṇḍala) are linked to the manifestation of Lakṣmī—symbolizing auspiciousness, prosperity, and divine grace.

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

Though framed as ritual instruction, the act of offering beautiful, sattvic substances to the sacred fire expresses reverence and devotion; Lakṣmī’s attainment is presented as a fruit of disciplined worship performed with faith and correctness.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual technique: selection of dravya (red lotus), preparation with tri-madhura, and the use of a maṇḍala—elements tied to kalpa/vidhi (procedural science of rites) and precise liturgical performance.