Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

सम्मार्जनोपयमनं कर्तव्यं च कुशद्वयम् । पूर्वं तु सर्वशाखं स्यात्पञ्चशाखं तथा परम् ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

sammārjanopayamanaṃ kartavyaṃ ca kuśadvayam | pūrvaṃ tu sarvaśākhaṃ syātpañcaśākhaṃ tathā param || 39 ||

Translation

Pour le rite, il faut préparer l’instrument de purification et l’upayamana, ainsi qu’une paire d’herbes kuśa. La première kuśa doit être à nombreuses ramifications, et l’autre, de même, à cinq ramifications.

Word by Word

• सम्मार्जन-उपयमनम्: sweeping and taking/collecting
• सम्मार्जन-उपयमनम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम्मार्जन + उपयमन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (two acts as a pair)

• कर्तव्यम्: should be done
• कर्तव्यम्: विधेय (obligation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) + तव्यत् (प्रत्यय) → कर्तव्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्यय (gerundive/obligation), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय (should be done)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• कुश-द्वयम्: a pair of kuśa grasses
• कुश-द्वयम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुश + द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (two kuśa blades)

• पूर्वम्: first
• पूर्वम्: काल/क्रम (sequence)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), क्रमवाचक (first/previously)

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: सम्बन्ध
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विशेषण-अव्यय (particle)

• सर्व-शाखम्: having all branches
• सर्व-शाखम्: विधेय-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + शाख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषार्थे (having all branches)

• स्यात्: should be/is to be
• स्यात्: क्रिया (copula)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• पञ्च-शाखम्: five-branched
• पञ्च-शाखम्: विधेय-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्चन् (संख्या) + शाख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (five-branched)

• तथा: likewise/thus
• तथा: प्रकार (manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: thus/likewise)

• परम्: the latter/next
• परम्: विधेय (predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (the latter/next)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, Moksha-dharma context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It emphasizes śauca (purity) and precision in preparatory ritual items—outer cleanliness and correct materials are treated as supports for inner discipline in Moksha-dharma.

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

By prescribing careful preparation for sacred acts, it frames devotion as attentive service (sevā) expressed through orderly, reverent ritual conduct that steadies the mind for remembrance of the Divine.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa-style ritual detail is highlighted—specifying the form and number of kuśa tips and the required implements, reflecting technical procedure used in Vedic rites.