Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13

Gṛhastha-nitya-karman: Śauca, Sandhyā-vidhi, Pañca-yajña, and Āśrama-krama

Devanagari script

एका लिंगे गुदे पंच दश वामे तथोभयोः । सप्त तिस्रः प्रदातव्याः पादयोर्मृत्तिकाः पृथक् ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

ekā liṃge gude paṃca daśa vāme tathobhayoḥ | sapta tisraḥ pradātavyāḥ pādayormṛttikāḥ pṛthak || 13 ||

Translation

Qu’on applique la terre purificatrice : une fois sur l’organe génital ; cinq fois sur l’anus ; dix fois sur la main gauche, et de même sur les deux mains. Aux deux pieds, séparément, on appliquera sept et trois fois, selon l’ordonnance.

Word by Word

• ekā: one
• ekā: Vidhāyaka/Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); numeral adjective

• liṅge: on the genital organ
• liṅge: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: liṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• gude: on the anus
• gude: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• pañca: five
• pañca: Saṅkhyā-viśeṣaṇa (संख्या-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañcan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Numeral (संख्यावाचक), indeclinable-like usage; here qualifying implied 'mṛttikāḥ' (clods)

• daśa: ten
• daśa: Saṅkhyā-viśeṣaṇa (संख्या-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daśan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Numeral (संख्यावाचक), indeclinable-like usage; qualifying implied 'mṛttikāḥ'

• vāme: on the left (side/hand)
• vāme: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); 'left (side/hand)'

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha/Upapada (सम्बन्ध/उपपद)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable (अव्यय); adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• ubhayōḥ: of both (hands/sides)
• ubhayōḥ: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ubhaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Dual (द्विवचन); (common gender usage)

• sapta: seven
• sapta: Saṅkhyā-viśeṣaṇa (संख्या-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saptan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Numeral (संख्यावाचक), indeclinable-like usage; qualifying implied 'mṛttikāḥ'

• tisraḥ: three
• tisraḥ: Saṅkhyā-viśeṣaṇa (संख्या-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); numeral form 'three'

• pradātavyāḥ: should be applied/given
• pradātavyāḥ: Vidhi (विधि/आज्ञार्थ)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√dā (धाातु) + -tavya (कृत्)
• Form: Gerundive/obligative participle (तव्यत्-कृदन्त); Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); passive sense ‘to be given/used’

• pādayoḥ: on the two feet
• pādayoḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Dual (द्विवचन)

• mṛttikāḥ: clods of earth (for cleansing)
• mṛttikāḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛttikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• pṛthak: separately
• pṛthak: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pṛthak (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable (अव्यय); adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

Speaker

Narada (teaching ritual discipline in a dharma/ācāra context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It codifies śauca (ritual purity) as a disciplined practice, teaching that external cleanliness supports inner sattva and readiness for japa, pūjā, and dharmic living.

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

While not directly describing bhakti emotions, it supports Vishnu-bhakti indirectly by prescribing purity of body and conduct—considered foundational for effective worship, mantra, and temple/household ritual.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied dharma-śāstra style ritual procedure (ācāra/śauca-vidhi)—a practical rule-set used in daily rites, aligning with the broader Vedic ancillary tradition of correct ritual performance.