Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 45

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

संप्राश्य तोयं गोविन्दविष्णुभ्यां क्षालेत्करौ । मधुसूदनत्रिविक्रमाभ्यामोष्ठौ च मार्जयेत् ॥ ४५ ॥

Transliteration

saṃprāśya toyaṃ govindaviṣṇubhyāṃ kṣāletkarau | madhusūdanatrivikramābhyāmoṣṭhau ca mārjayet || 45 ||

Translation

Après avoir pris une gorgée d’eau (ācaman), qu’on se lave les mains en prononçant les noms Govinda et Viṣṇu ; et qu’on essuie aussi les lèvres en prononçant Madhusūdana et Trivikrama.

Word by Word

• संप्राश्य: having sipped
• संप्राश्य: Kriya (क्रियाविशेषण/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्राश् (धातु)
• Form: उपसर्ग: सम्; क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund) अव्ययभाव; ‘having sipped’ (ācamana)

• तोयम्: water
• तोयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• गोविन्द-विष्णुभ्याम्: with/by (the names) Govinda and Viṣṇu
• गोविन्द-विष्णुभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोविन्द + विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास (copulative)

• क्षालेत्: should wash
• क्षालेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्षाल् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• करौ: the two hands
• करौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), द्विवचन

• मधुसूदन-त्रिविक्रमाभ्याम्: with/by (the names) Madhusūdana and Trivikrama
• मधुसूदन-त्रिविक्रमाभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधुसूदन + त्रिविक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास

• ओष्ठौ: the two lips
• ओष्ठौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ओष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), द्विवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• मार्जयेत्: should wipe/clean
• मार्जयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मृज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Govinda
• Madhusudana
• Trivikrama

FAQs

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

It sacralizes a basic act of purification (ācamana and śauca) by linking bodily cleanliness to remembrance of Viṣṇu through specific divine names, making daily routine an act of devotion.

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

Bhakti is expressed here as constant nāma-smaraṇa: even washing hands and wiping lips become opportunities to invoke Govinda, Viṣṇu, Madhusūdana, and Trivikrama, training the mind to remain God-centered.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual correctness and procedure (kalpa-style śauca/ācamana sequencing) and the disciplined use of sacred utterance alongside action—practical liturgical knowledge used in daily rites.