Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 61

The Explanation of the Twelve-Month Caturthī Vrata

Devanagari script

प्रभाते विमले स्नात्वा होमं कृत्वा विधानतः । तिलव्रीहियवश्वेतसुर्षपाज्यैः सखंडकैः ॥ ६१ ॥

Transliteration

prabhāte vimale snātvā homaṃ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ | tilavrīhiyavaśvetasurṣapājyaiḥ sakhaṃḍakaiḥ || 61 ||

Translation

À l’aube immaculée, après s’être baigné en pureté, qu’on accomplisse le homa selon la règle, avec sésame, riz, orge, moutarde blanche et ghee, ainsi que des offrandes en petites portions.

Word by Word

• prabhāte: in the morning
• prabhāte: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prabhāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; Locative, Singular

• vimale: pure/clear
• vimale: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vimala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण; सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Locative, Singular (agreeing with prabhāte: ‘in the pure/clear morning’)

• snātvā: having bathed
• snātvā: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: snā (स्ना धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (पूर्वकाले), Absolutive/Gerund

• homam: homa (fire-offering)
• homam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: homa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• kṛtvā: having performed
• kṛtvā: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (कृ धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त; Absolutive/Gerund

• vidhānataḥ: according to the prescribed procedure
• vidhānataḥ: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vidhāna (प्रातिपदिक) + tas (तस् प्रत्यय)
• Form: तस्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (रीतौ/प्रकारे); Adverb ‘according to rule’

• tila-vrīhi-yava-śveta-surṣapa-ājyaiḥ: with sesame, rice, barley, white mustard, and ghee
• tila-vrīhi-yava-śveta-surṣapa-ājyaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tila (प्रातिपदिक) + vrīhi (प्रातिपदिक) + yava (प्रातिपदिक) + śveta (प्रातिपदिक) + surṣapa (प्रातिपदिक) + ājya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार-द्वन्द्व/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (द्रव्यसमुच्चय); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहारे), तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Instrumental, Plural (materials used)

• sa-khaṃḍakaiḥ: together with pieces/portions (lumps)
• sa-khaṃḍakaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa (सह/स- उपसर्गसदृश) + khaṃḍaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः (तत्पुरुष; ‘खण्डकैः सह’), पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Instrumental, Plural

Speaker

Narada (teaching in the Narada Purana’s ritual/procedural context, traditionally within Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framing)

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 links inner and outer purity—bathing at dawn—with disciplined Vedic action (homa), emphasizing that sanctity arises from both cleanliness and correct observance of vidhi.

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

While primarily karmic/ritual in tone, it supports bhakti by prescribing a purified daily routine and offering practice that prepares the devotee for worship and steady remembrance through regulated sacred acts.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual procedure (kalpa-oriented practice): timing (dawn), preparatory purification (snāna), and correct selection of homa-dravyas (sesame, grains, mustard, ghee) as part of injunction-based performance (vidhānataḥ).