Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5

Gṛhastha-nitya-karman: Śauca, Sandhyā-vidhi, Pañca-yajña, and Āśrama-krama

Devanagari script

पथि गोष्टे नदीतीरे तडागगृहसन्निधौ । तथा वृक्षस्य च्छायायां कांतारे वह्निसन्निधौ ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

pathi goṣṭe nadītīre taḍāgagṛhasannidhau | tathā vṛkṣasya cchāyāyāṃ kāṃtāre vahnisannidhau || 5 ||

Translation

En el camino, en el establo, en la ribera del río, cerca de un estanque o de una morada; asimismo a la sombra de un árbol, en el desierto o junto al fuego—en tales lugares debe guardarse recato y pureza, evitando actos impuros o impropios.

Word by Word

• pathi: on the road
• pathi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pathin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th), Singular

• goṣṭe: in a cowshed/cattle-pen
• goṣṭe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: goṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative, Singular

• nadī-tīre: on the riverbank
• nadī-tīre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nadī (प्रातिपदिक) + tīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (नद्याः तीरम्)

• taḍāga-gṛha-sannidhau: near a pond or a house
• taḍāga-gṛha-sannidhau: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: taḍāga (प्रातिपदिक) + gṛha (प्रातिपदिक) + sannidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (तडागस्य/गृहस्य सन्निधौ)

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण), 'likewise'

• vṛkṣasya: of a tree
• vṛkṣasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛkṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• cchāyāyām: in the shade
• cchāyāyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cchāyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative, Singular

• kāntāre: in a wilderness/forest
• kāntāre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāntāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative, Singular

• vahni-sannidhau: near fire
• vahni-sannidhau: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vahni (प्रातिपदिक) + sannidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (वह्नेः सन्निधौ)

Speaker

Narada (in instruction/dialogue context with the Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It teaches ācāra (right conduct): spiritual life is protected by restraint and cleanliness, including awareness of place—public paths, sacred watersides, dwellings, and fire-sites require heightened propriety.

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

Bhakti is sustained by disciplined living; by avoiding improper behavior in sensitive or sacred locations, a devotee preserves inner purity (śauca) and steadiness needed for Vishnu-bhakti practices like japa, vrata, and pūjā.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It aligns with Dharma-śāstra style application of ritual propriety (kalpa-oriented practical discipline): knowing appropriate places and contexts supports correct observance of rites and daily regulations.