Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 103

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

नसोर्द्वयं कपोले च द्वयं द्वे द्विरदच्छदे । एकं तु रसनामूले ग्रीवायामेकमेव च ॥ १०३ ॥

Transliteration

nasordvayaṃ kapole ca dvayaṃ dve dviradacchade | ekaṃ tu rasanāmūle grīvāyāmekameva ca || 103 ||

Translation

Il y en a deux aux narines et deux aux joues ; deux et deux sur la « couverture de l’éléphant » (les tempes). Un à la racine de la langue, et un, dans le cou.

Word by Word

• नसोः: of the two nostrils
• नसोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नासिका/नास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), षष्ठी (Genitive, 6th), द्विवचन (Dual)

• द्वयम्: a pair (two)
• द्वयम्: Saṅkhyā (संख्या/quantifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular); संख्यावाचक (pair)

• कपोले: on the cheek
• कपोले: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपोल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सप्तमी (Locative, 7th), एकवचन (Singular)

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

• द्वयम्: a pair (two)
• द्वयम्: Saṅkhyā (संख्या/quantifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• द्वे: two
• द्वे: Saṅkhyā (संख्या/quantifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), द्विवचन (Dual); संख्यावाचक (two)

• द्विरद-च्छदे: on the temples (elephant-like ‘dvirada’ region)
• द्विरद-च्छदे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विरद (प्रातिपदिक) + छद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी (Locative, 7th), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष-समासः: द्विरदस्य छदः (elephant’s covering/temple region; i.e., the temples)

• एकम्: one
• एकम्: Saṅkhyā (संख्या/quantifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle: contrast/emphasis)

• रसना-मूले: at the root of the tongue
• रसना-मूले: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रसना (प्रातिपदिक) + मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी (Locative, 7th), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष-समासः: रसनायाः मूलम् (root of the tongue)

• ग्रीवायाम्: in/on the neck
• ग्रीवायाम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रीवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), सप्तमी (Locative, 7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• एकम्: one
• एकम्: Saṅkhyā (संख्या/quantifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-निपात (particle of emphasis/only)

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

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada on Śikṣā/phonetics)

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 mantra-power depends on precise sound-production; knowing the bodily loci of articulation supports correct recitation, preserving the sanctity and efficacy of Vedic speech.

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

Bhakti in the Purāṇic-Vedic sense includes disciplined worship with accurately pronounced names and mantras; this verse supports devotion by grounding it in correct śabda (sacred sound) practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedāṅga-Śikṣā (phonetics): it lists specific bodily points associated with producing or resonating sounds, a practical aid for training in mantra-recitation and Vedic chanting.