Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31

Kalpa-Lakṣaṇa and Gṛhya-Kalpa: Classifications, Purifications, Implements, and Spatial Rite-Design

Devanagari script

इन्द्र वज्रं विष्णुचक्रं वामदेवत्रिशूलकम् । दर्भरूपतया त्रीणि पवित्रच्छेदनानि च ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

indra vajraṃ viṣṇucakraṃ vāmadevatriśūlakam | darbharūpatayā trīṇi pavitracchedanāni ca || 31 ||

Translation

La foudre (vajra) d’Indra, le disque (cakra) de Viṣṇu et le trident de Vāmadeva : ces trois, conçus sous la forme de l’herbe darbha, sont aussi les coupeurs sacrés servant à préparer les pavitra (anneaux ou brins purificatoires).

Word by Word

• indra: O Indra
• indra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• vajram: thunderbolt
• vajram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vajra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• viṣṇu-cakram: Vishnu’s discus
• viṣṇu-cakram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक) + cakra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (Viṣṇu’s discus)

• vāmadeva-triśūlakam: Vamadeva’s trident
• vāmadeva-triśūlakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāmadeva (प्रातिपदिक) + triśūlaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (Vāmadeva’s trident)

• darbha-rūpatayā: in the form of darbha (grass)
• darbha-rūpatayā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: darbha (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpatā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; तद्धितान्त (रूपता), साधन/प्रकारवाचक (in the form of darbha)

• trīṇi: three
• trīṇi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन; संख्याविशेषण (numeral adjective)

• pavitra-cchedanāni: pavitra-cutters (cutting implements)
• pavitra-cchedanāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pavitra (प्रातिपदिक) + cchedana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (cutters of/for pavitra)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue instruction to Narada on dharma/ritual purity within Moksha-dharma teaching)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Vishnu
• Vamadeva
• Darbha

FAQs

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

It teaches that even simple ritual materials like darbha are to be handled with sacred intent—seen as empowered by divine weapons—so that purification (pavitra) becomes an inner and outer sanctification.

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

By grounding worship in reverent preparation: devotional practice is supported by purity and consecrated acts, where the devotee treats ritual steps as offerings connected to Viṣṇu and other divine powers.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied—how pavitra is prepared and the sanctioned use of darbha and implements—showing the technical side of worship that supports dharma and mokṣa.