Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

Gṛhastha-praveśa: Vivāha-bheda, Ācāra-śauca, Śrāddha-kāla, and Vaiṣṇava-lakṣaṇa

Devanagari script

अनुलेपनलित्पांगः कृत्तकेशनखः शुचिः । धारयेद्वैणवं दंडं सोदकं च कमंडलुम् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

anulepanalitpāṃgaḥ kṛttakeśanakhaḥ śuciḥ | dhārayedvaiṇavaṃ daṃḍaṃ sodakaṃ ca kamaṃḍalum || 20 ||

Translation

Le corps oint et bien entretenu, les cheveux et les ongles taillés, demeurant dans la pureté, qu’il porte le bâton vaiṣṇava et aussi le kamaṇḍalu rempli d’eau.

Word by Word

• अनुलेपन-लित-पाङ्गः: whose limbs are anointed/smeared
• अनुलेपन-लित-पाङ्गः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनुलेपन + लित + पाङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (यस्य पाङ्गः अनुलेपनेन लितः)

• कृत्त-केश-नखः: with hair and nails trimmed
• कृत्त-केश-नखः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत्त + केश + नख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (यस्य केशाः नखाश्च कृत्ताः)

• शुचिः: pure/clean
• शुचिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• धारयेत्: should carry/wear
• धारयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• वैणवम्: made of bamboo
• वैणवम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेणु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तद्धित-प्रत्यय (अण्) ‘वैणव’ = made of bamboo

• दण्डम्: staff
• दण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• स-उदकम्: with water
• स-उदकम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सहितम् उदकेन)

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

• कमण्डलुम्: water-pot
• कमण्डलुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कमण्डलु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, describing Vaiṣṇava conduct)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It teaches that devotion to Viṣṇu is supported by disciplined external conduct—cleanliness, restraint, and the visible emblems of a Vaiṣṇava—so that one’s life becomes orderly, sattvic, and fit for worship.

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

By prescribing Vaiṣṇava identifiers (staff, water-pot) and purity, it frames bhakti as a lived practice: the body and daily habits are aligned with remembrance of Viṣṇu, not merely inner sentiment.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It primarily reflects Kalpa-style practical discipline (ācāra and ritual cleanliness): maintaining śauca, grooming standards, and carrying prescribed implements used for daily rites and regulated living.