Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

आज्यस्थाली प्रकर्तव्या पलमात्रप्रमाणिका । कुलालचक्रघटितं आसुरं मृण्मयं स्मृतम् ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

ājyasthālī prakartavyā palamātrapramāṇikā | kulālacakraghaṭitaṃ āsuraṃ mṛṇmayaṃ smṛtam || 33 ||

Translation

Il faut façonner une ājya-sthālī (petit récipient pour le ghee) de la mesure d’un pala ; on dit qu’elle est du type « āsura », en argile et tournée sur le tour du potier.

Word by Word

• ājya-sthālī: ghee-pot (ājya-sthālī)
• ājya-sthālī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ājya (प्रातिपदिक) + sthālī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ghee-pot)

• prakartavyā: should be made
• prakartavyā: Vidhi (विधि/obligation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra+√kṛ (धातु)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्यय (तव्यत्), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय (to be made)

• pala-mātra-pramāṇikā: of the measure of (only) one pala
• pala-mātra-pramāṇikā: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pala (प्रातिपदिक) + mātra (प्रातिपदिक) + pramāṇika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (having measure of only one pala)

• kulāla-cakra-ghaṭitam: fashioned on a potter’s wheel
• kulāla-cakra-ghaṭitam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kulāla (प्रातिपदिक) + cakra (प्रातिपदिक) + ghaṭita (कृदन्त, √ghaṭ)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (made on a potter’s wheel)

• āsuram: asuric/non-divine
• āsuram: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āsura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• mṛṇ-mayam: made of clay
• mṛṇ-mayam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mṛd (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (made of clay)

• smṛtam: is regarded/declared
• smṛtam: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √smṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त (Past Passive Participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि (is considered/said)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that inner devotion is supported by outer discipline: precise, tradition-based preparation of ritual implements helps preserve purity, order, and correctness in sacred offerings.

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

While not directly preaching bhakti, it supports devotional worship by prescribing correct utensils for offerings like ājya (ghee), showing that reverence is expressed through careful, rule-aligned service in worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) and pramāṇa (measurement) are highlighted—specifying the material (clay), method (potter’s wheel), and standard measure (one pala) for a ritual vessel.