Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 43

The Exposition of the Pratipadā Vrata for the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

धूलिधूसरसर्वांगं जलैरुक्षेत्समंततः । कर्मणा लौकिकेनापि संतुष्टो हि महेश्वरः ॥ ४३ ॥

Transliteration

dhūlidhūsarasarvāṃgaṃ jalairukṣetsamaṃtataḥ | karmaṇā laukikenāpi saṃtuṣṭo hi maheśvaraḥ || 43 ||

Translation

Celui dont tout le corps est couvert de poussière doit être aspergé d’eau de toutes parts. Car Maheśvara (Śiva) est véritablement satisfait même par de tels services ordinaires et mondains.

Word by Word

• धूलि-धूसर-सर्व-अङ्गम्: the whole body (being) dust-grey
• धूलि-धूसर-सर्व-अङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धूलि (प्रातिपदिक) + धूसर (प्रातिपदिक) + सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः (qualificative)

• जलैः: with waters
• जलैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• उक्षेत्: should sprinkle
• उक्षेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• समन्ततः: on all sides / all around
• समन्ततः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: समन्ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• कर्मणा: by an act / by a rite
• कर्मणा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• लौकिकेन: worldly / ordinary
• लौकिकेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लौकिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying कर्मणा)

• अपि: even / also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle)

• सन्तुष्टः: satisfied
• सन्तुष्टः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-तुष् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying महेश्वरः)

• हि: indeed / for
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphatic/causal particle)

• महेश्वरः: Maheshvara (Śiva)
• महेश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन; समासः: महा + ईश्वर (षष्ठी/कर्मधारय-प्रायः; here as fixed name)

Speaker

Narada (in instruction within the dialogue with Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Maheshvara
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that sincerity and basic purity-oriented service—even simple, everyday actions—can please Maheśvara, emphasizing accessible devotion over complexity.

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

Bhakti is shown as practical and approachable: caring acts (like cleansing or sprinkling water) performed with reverence are accepted by the Lord, not only elaborate rites.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied ritual discipline (kalpa-style conduct): a simple purificatory procedure using water for cleanliness and readiness for worship or service.