Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 60

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

Devanagari script

षट्तारः संपुटो वापि व्रतिनश्च यतेर्जपः । गृहस्थस्य सतारः स्याज्जप्य एवंविधो मुने ॥ ६० ॥

Transliteration

ṣaṭtāraḥ saṃpuṭo vāpi vratinaśca yaterjapaḥ | gṛhasthasya satāraḥ syājjapya evaṃvidho mune || 60 ||

Translation

Pour l’observant de vœux et pour le yati (renonçant), le japa doit se faire avec un saṃpuṭa, une enveloppe de six ‘tāra’. Mais pour le gṛhastha (maître de maison), ce sera avec sept ‘tāra’. Telle est la juste manière du japa, ô muni.

Word by Word

• ṣaṭtāraḥ: having six Oms
• ṣaṭtāraḥ: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṣaṭtāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular. (Having six Oms)

• saṃpuṭaḥ: encased/enclosed (method of chanting)
• saṃpuṭaḥ: Karta (Subject) / Predicate
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃpuṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• vā: or
• vā: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• api: also/even
• api: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle

• vratinaḥ: of the vow-holder (Brahmachari)
• vratinaḥ: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vratin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• yateḥ: of the ascetic (Sannyasi)
• yateḥ: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th), Singular

• japaḥ: chanting/recitation
• japaḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: japa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• gṛhasthasya: of the householder
• gṛhasthasya: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gṛhastha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th), Singular

• satāraḥ: with Om (Pranava)
• satāraḥ: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: satāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular. (sa + tāra)

• syāt: should be
• syāt: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (धातु)
• Form: Vidhilin Lakara, Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha (3rd), Ekavachana (Singular)

• japyaḥ: to be chanted
• japyaḥ: Visheshana/Predicate
• Type: Adjective
• Root: japya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Yat Pratyaya (Gerundive), Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• evaṃvidhaḥ: of such a kind
• evaṃvidhaḥ: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: evaṃvidha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• mune: O Sage
• mune: Sambodhana (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (Sambodhana), Singular

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

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 teaches that japa is not merely repetition but a disciplined rite (vidhi) adjusted to one’s āśrama (life-stage), emphasizing order, restraint, and suitability as part of dharma.

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

By prescribing a careful method for japa, it supports bhakti through steady remembrance and regulated practice; devotion is strengthened when mantra-recitation is performed with proper observance and focus.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects ritual procedure and correct application of mantra practice (a prayoga/vidhi concern allied to śikṣā and kalpa-style discipline), specifying how mantra ‘enclosure’ (saṃpuṭa) and tāra-count differ by practitioner type.