Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

The Second Twelve-Month Vrata: Dvitīyā Observances and Their Fruits

Devanagari script

वस्त्रालंकारपूर्वं तु तस्मै देयमतः परम् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

vastrālaṃkārapūrvaṃ tu tasmai deyamataḥ param || 20 ||

Translation

Mais d’abord, qu’on lui offre des vêtements et des parures; ensuite, que l’on accorde ce qui doit être donné.

Word by Word

• वस्त्रालंकारपूर्वम्: preceded by garments and ornaments (first)
• वस्त्रालंकारपूर्वम्: Visheshana (विशेषण) / Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषणभाव)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वस्त्र-अलंकार-पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (समाहार/निर्देश: ‘वस्त्रैः अलंकारैः च पूर्वम्’ = preceded by clothes and ornaments), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st)/द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; adverbial-adjective sense ‘firstly with…’

• तु: indeed; but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अवधारणार्थक अव्यय (particle: ‘but/indeed’)

• तस्मै: to him
• तस्मै: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th), एकवचन; dative pronoun

• देयम्: should be given
• देयम्: Karma (कर्म) / Predicative obligation
• Type: Verb
• Root: देय (कृदन्त; √दा धातु)
• Form: विधेय/कर्तव्यतार्थक कृदन्त (gerundive/भाव्य: ‘to be given’), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st)/द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; predicate

• अतः: thereafter; then
• अतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतुवाचक/तस्मात्-अर्थे अव्यय (adverb: ‘thereafter/therefore/from that’)

• परम्: next; further
• परम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st)/द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘next/further’ qualifying implied ‘(दानम्)’

Speaker

Sage Narada (as instructor within the Anukramanika-style discourse)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It teaches that giving should be preceded by satkāra—honoring the recipient—so the gift becomes an act of dharma rather than mere transaction.

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

Though not directly about bhakti, it reflects the devotional ethic of reverence and humility—offering respectfully first—qualities that also support Vishnu-bhakti and sacred service.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It aligns with ritual propriety (kalpa/ācāra): the correct order of honoring (vastra, alaṅkāra) before the main dāna, emphasizing procedure and etiquette in rites.