Shloka 55

Puruṣottama-kṣetra Māhātmya: Śveta-Mādhava & Matsya-Mādhava; Mārkaṇḍeya-tīrtha Mārjana and Bath Liturgy

Devanagari script

अन्यथा ब्रह्मतनये स्नानं तत्र न शस्यते । कृत्वा चाब्दैवतैमत्रैरभिषेकं च मार्जनम् ॥ ५५ ॥

Transliteration

anyathā brahmatanaye snānaṃ tatra na śasyate | kṛtvā cābdaivataimatrairabhiṣekaṃ ca mārjanam || 55 ||

Translation

Otherwise, O son of Brahmā, bathing there is not recommended. One should first perform purification—abhiṣeka (anointing bath) and mārjana (cleansing)—with mantras addressed to the deities of the year.

Word by Word

• अन्यथा: otherwise
• अन्यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anyathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), प्रकार/विध्यर्थ-निषेधपर्याय (otherwise)

• ब्रह्मतनये: in/at (the place of) Brahmā’s son
• ब्रह्मतनये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahma-tanaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (ब्रह्मणः तनयः)

• स्नानम्: bathing
• स्नानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: snāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), देशवाचक (locative adverb)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negative particle)

• शस्यते: is recommended
• शस्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śaṃs (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present/लट्), कर्मणि-प्रयोग (Passive), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; धातुः: शंस् (to praise/recommend)

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), धातुः: कृ (having done)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अब्दैवतैः: with the deities of the waters
• अब्दैवतैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: abda-devatā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (अब्दस्य देवताः)

• मैत्रैः: friendly/propitious
• मैत्रैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: maitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; विशेषण (friendly/propitious)

• अभिषेकम्: ablution (ritual bathing)
• अभिषेकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: abhiṣeka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• मार्जनम्: cleansing/purification
• मार्जनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mārjana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue with Sanatkumara tradition; addressing 'son of Brahmā')

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

It teaches that sacred bathing (tīrtha-snāna) is not merely physical; it must be preceded by mantra-based purification—abhiṣeka and mārjana—so the act becomes dhārmic and spiritually efficacious.

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

By insisting on mantra and orderly ritual conduct, the verse frames devotion as disciplined reverence—approaching a holy place with purification and conscious worship rather than casual bathing.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure (kalpa/karma-kāṇḍa application) is emphasized: the correct sequence—abhiṣeka and mārjana with prescribed mantras—showing the importance of precise liturgical practice.