Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3

Śrāddha-prayoga: Niyama, Brāhmaṇa-parīkṣā, Kutapa-kāla, Tithi-nyāya, and Vaiṣṇava-phala

Devanagari script

दन्तधावनतांबूले तैलाभ्यंगं तथैव च । रत्योषधिपरान्नानि श्राद्धकर्त्ताविवर्जयेत् ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

dantadhāvanatāṃbūle tailābhyaṃgaṃ tathaiva ca | ratyoṣadhiparānnāni śrāddhakarttāvivarjayet || 3 ||

Translation

Quien realiza el Śrāddha debe abstenerse de cepillarse los dientes y de mascar tāmbūla (betel), así como del masaje con aceite; y también renunciar al goce sexual, a preparados medicinales y a comidas ricas o indulgentes.

Word by Word

• दन्त-धावन-ताम्बूले: tooth-cleaning and betel (chewing)
• दन्त-धावन-ताम्बूले: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दन्त (प्रातिपदिक) + धावन (प्रातिपदिक) + ताम्बूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन/बहुवचन-रूपेण (समाहार-द्वन्द्वः); अर्थतः ‘दन्तधावनं च ताम्बूलं च’

• तैल-अभ्यङ्गम्: oil massage/anointing
• तैल-अभ्यङ्गम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तैल (प्रातिपदिक) + अभ्यङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (तैलस्य अभ्यङ्गः)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: ‘likewise’)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• रति-ओषधि-पर-अन्नानि: foods connected with sex and with medicines (aphrodisiacs etc.)
• रति-ओषधि-पर-अन्नानि: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रति (प्रातिपदिक) + ओषधि (प्रातिपदिक) + पर (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (रत्याः/रतेः, ओषध्याः, परं/सम्बद्धं अन्नम्)

• श्राद्ध-कर्त्ता: the performer of śrāddha
• श्राद्ध-कर्त्ता: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (श्राद्धस्य कर्ता)

• अपि: also
• अपि: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle: ‘also/even’)

• विवर्जयेत्: should avoid
• विवर्जयेत्: विधेय-क्रिया (Predicate verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + वर्ज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Narada

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 that Śrāddha is a sacred act requiring austerity and mental purity; therefore, the performer adopts restraint by avoiding grooming luxuries, sensual pleasure, and indulgent consumption so the rite remains sattvic and focused on honoring the ancestors.

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

By prescribing self-control and simplicity during Śrāddha, the verse supports bhakti-oriented discipline: reducing personal pleasure helps direct attention toward dharma, reverence, and devotional intention rather than bodily gratification.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Dharma-śāstra style ācāra—practical rules for conduct during a specific rite (Śrāddha), detailing what actions and consumptions are to be avoided for ritual fitness.