Shloka 55

Tīrtha-vidhi (Procedure for Holy Places) — Prayāgarāja-māhātmya

Devanagari script

सश्मश्रुकेशवपनं मुंडनं तद्विदुर्बुधाः । न क्षौरं मुंडनं सुभ्रु कीर्तितं वेदवेदिभिः ॥ ५५ ॥

Transliteration

saśmaśrukeśavapanaṃ muṃḍanaṃ tadvidurbudhāḥ | na kṣauraṃ muṃḍanaṃ subhru kīrtitaṃ vedavedibhiḥ || 55 ||

Translation

Los sabios saben que “muṇḍana” es la remoción tanto de la barba como del cabello. Oh de cejas hermosas, los conocedores del Veda declaran que el simple afeitado (kṣaura) no es lo que se llama muṇḍana.

Word by Word

• स-श्मश्रु-केश-वपनम्: shaving of beard and hair
• स-श्मश्रु-केश-वपनम्: Karma/Predicate-noun (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्मश्रु (प्रातिपदिक) + केश (प्रातिपदिक) + वपन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (समाहार/सम्बन्ध): ‘beard-and-hair shaving’

• मुण्डनम्: tonsure/shaving
• मुण्डनम्: Karma/Predicate-noun (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुण्डन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• विदुः: know
• विदुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन

• बुधाः: the wise (people)
• बुधाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), बहुवचन

• न: not
• न: Negation (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध-निपात

• क्षौरम्: razor-shaving
• क्षौरम्: Karma/Predicate-noun (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षौर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• मुण्डनम्: tonsure
• मुण्डनम्: Karma/Predicate-noun (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुण्डन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सुभ्रु: O fair-browed lady
• सुभ्रु: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुभ्रू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• कीर्तितम्: is declared
• कीर्तितम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कीर्त् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle used predicatively); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वेद-वेदिभिः: by the knowers of the Veda
• वेद-वेदिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + वेदिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘knowers of the Veda’

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 clarifies ritual precision: a vowed act (vrata) should be performed exactly as defined by Vedic authorities—here, ‘muṇḍana’ means complete removal of hair including the beard, not a partial shave.

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

It supports bhakti through disciplined observance: devotional practices become effective when the devotee follows the prescribed niyamas accurately, showing sincerity and reverence for śāstra.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects śrauta/smārta ritual terminology and procedural correctness (kalpa-style precision): distinguishing technical terms used in vows and rites so the intended observance is not diluted.