Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 135

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

मुण्डी सुभगया युक्तः खड्गी दुर्भगया युतः । वरेण्यश्च शिवायुक्तो भगया वृषकेतनः ॥ १३५ ॥

Transliteration

muṇḍī subhagayā yuktaḥ khaḍgī durbhagayā yutaḥ | vareṇyaśca śivāyukto bhagayā vṛṣaketanaḥ || 135 ||

Translation

Il est Muṇḍī, l’ascète au crâne rasé, uni à Subhagā; il est Khaḍgī, le porteur d’épée, uni à Durbhagā; il est Vareṇya, le plus excellent et digne d’être choisi, uni à Śivā; et il est Vṛṣaketana, dont l’emblème est le taureau, uni à Bhagā.

Word by Word

• मुण्डी: the shaven-headed one
• मुण्डी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुण्डिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; मुण्डधारी (shaven-headed)

• सुभगया: by/with the fortunate (female)
• सुभगया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुभगा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• युक्तः: joined/endowed
• युक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युक्त (कृदन्त, √युज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (joined/endowed)

• खड्गी: the sword-bearer
• खड्गी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खड्गिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; खड्गधारी (sword-bearer)

• दुर्भगया: by/with the unfortunate (female)
• दुर्भगया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्भगा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• युतः: associated
• युतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युत (कृदन्त, √यु/युज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (joined/associated)

• वरेण्यः: excellent/choice-worthy
• वरेण्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वरेण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘to be chosen/excellent’

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

• शिवा-युक्तः: joined with Śivā
• शिवा-युक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिवा (प्रातिपदिक) + युक्त (कृदन्त, √युज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘शिवया युक्तः’

• भगया: by/with Bhagā
• भगया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वृष-केतनः: he whose emblem is a bull
• वृष-केतनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृष (प्रातिपदिक) + केतन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘वृषः केतनम् यस्य’ (bull as emblem/banner)

Speaker

Narada (in a didactic enumeration to the Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)

Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Characters & Entities

• Subhaga
• Durbhaga
• Shiva
• Bhaga
• Vrsaketana

FAQs

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

The verse functions as a mantra-like catalogue of divine epithets, teaching that contemplation/recitation of names (nāma) invokes specific aspects of the deity—ascetic power (Muṇḍī), protective force (Khaḍgī), supreme worthiness (Vareṇya), and emblematic identity (Vṛṣaketana).

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

It supports bhakti through nāma-smaraṇa: devotion is practiced by remembering and reciting divine names with their attributes, which stabilizes the mind and directs reverence toward distinct divine functions and symbols.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse reflects Vedāṅga-oriented practice of precise recitation and structured name-lists used in ritual/chanting contexts—emphasizing phonetic accuracy (Śikṣā) and disciplined formulation of epithets for liturgical use.