Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 32

Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa

The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala

Devanagari script

श्रावण्यामागमोक्तेन विधिनार्चेत्पवित्रकैः । प्रौष्ठपद्यां गन्धपुष्पैर्यजेद्वा केतकीसुमैः ॥ ३२ ॥

Transliteration

śrāvaṇyāmāgamoktena vidhinārcetpavitrakaiḥ | prauṣṭhapadyāṃ gandhapuṣpairyajedvā ketakīsumaiḥ || 32 ||

Translation

In the month of Śrāvaṇa, one should worship the Lord with pavitra-threads according to the procedure taught in the Āgamas. In the month of Proṣṭhapadā, one should worship with fragrant flowers—or with ketakī blossoms.

Word by Word

• श्रावण्याम्: in (the month of) Śrāvaṇa
• श्रावण्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रावणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी (7th case); एकवचन; मास-नाम

• आगम-उक्तेन: as stated in the Āgamas
• आगम-उक्तेन: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आगम (प्रातिपदिक) + उक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd case); एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष ‘(by the rule) stated in the Āgama’; विशेषण (qualifying विधिना)

• विधिना: by the prescribed method
• विधिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd case); एकवचन

• अर्चेत्: one should worship
• अर्चेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative); प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person); एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• पवित्रकैः: with sacred threads/amulets (pavitrakas)
• पवित्रकैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पवित्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd case); बहुवचन

• प्रौष्ठपद्याम्: in (the month of) Prauṣṭhapadī (Bhādrapada)
• प्रौष्ठपद्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रौष्ठपदी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी (7th case); एकवचन; मास-नाम

• गन्ध-पुष्पैः: with fragrant flowers
• गन्ध-पुष्पैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd case); बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (fragrant + flowers)

• यजेत्: one should worship/sacrifice
• यजेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: यज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative); प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person); एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक-निपात (particle: or/alternatively)

• केतकी-सुमैः: with ketakī blossoms
• केतकी-सुमैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केतकी (प्रातिपदिक) + सुम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd case); बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (flowers of ketakī)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none (monthly arcana; pavitra-related rite)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Agama

FAQs

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

It links devotion to precise sacred timing (months) and scriptural procedure (Āgama-vidhi), teaching that purity (pavitra) and appropriate offerings make worship disciplined and spiritually efficacious.

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

Bhakti here is expressed through regulated worship—offering sanctifying pavitra-threads and fragrant flowers in their proper season—showing devotion as consistent, scripture-guided service rather than mere sentiment.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects calendrical and ritual-technical knowledge: month-based observance (a timekeeping/astronomical sensibility akin to Jyotiṣa usage) and the procedural authority of Āgama-vidhi for correct worship.