Shloka 32

Honoring the Mother (Mātṛpūjanam): Consent, Equity, and Dana to Restore Household Dharma

Devanagari script

तदा ज्येष्ठाभिलषितं देयमाहुः पुराविदः । ज्येष्ठया सहितः कुर्यादिष्टापूर्तं नरोत्तमः ॥ ३२ ॥

Transliteration

tadā jyeṣṭhābhilaṣitaṃ deyamāhuḥ purāvidaḥ | jyeṣṭhayā sahitaḥ kuryādiṣṭāpūrtaṃ narottamaḥ || 32 ||

Translation

At that time, the sages learned in ancient tradition declare that one should give whatever the elder wife desires. And, together with the elder, the best of men should perform the meritorious acts of iṣṭa and pūrta.

Word by Word

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (temporal adverb) = then

• jyeṣṭhā-abhilaṣitam: what is desired by the elder (wife)
• jyeṣṭhā-abhilaṣitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jyeṣṭhā (प्रातिपदिक) + abhilaṣita (प्रातिपदिक; क्त-प्रत्यय from abhi-laṣ धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ज्येष्ठायाः अभिलषितम् = desired by the elder

• deyam: to be given
• deyam: Vidhi/Obligation (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dā (धातु) + ya (कृत् प्रत्यय; कृत्य)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'to be given'

• āhuḥ: they say
• āhuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ah (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• purā-vidaḥ: the ancients, knowers of tradition
• purā-vidaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purā (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + vid (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: पुराणि/पूर्वं विदन्ति = knowers of old tradition/ancients

• jyeṣṭhayā: with the elder (wife)
• jyeṣṭhayā: Sahakāraka (सह/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jyeṣṭhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन

• sahitaḥ: accompanied
• sahitaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sahita (प्रातिपदिक; क्त from sah धातु/सह)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'accompanied' qualifying narottamaḥ

• kuryāt: should perform
• kuryāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• iṣṭā-pūrtam: rites and charitable works (iṣṭa & pūrta)
• iṣṭā-pūrtam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: iṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + pūrta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व: इष्टं च पूर्तं च (sacrificial and charitable works)

• narottamaḥ: the best man (noble person)
• narottamaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक) + uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: उत्तमो नरः = best of men

Speaker

Narada (teaching in the Uttara-Bhaga context; traditional instruction attributed to purāvidaḥ)

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 frames dharma as humility and harmony in household life: honoring the elder’s rightful wish through giving, and sanctifying life through iṣṭa (sacred rites) and pūrta (charitable/public welfare acts).

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

While not explicitly naming a deity, it supports bhakti through seva-like action: respectful offering (dāna) and dharmic works (iṣṭa–pūrta) that purify intention and align one’s life with sacred duty.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects the ritual classification of karma into iṣṭa and pūrta—an applied aspect of Kalpa (Vedāṅga dealing with ritual procedure and dharma-practice) relevant to householders.