Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 48

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

अनिरुद्धपुरुषोत्तमाभ्यां नेत्रे स्मृशेत्ततः । अधोक्षजनृसिंहाभ्यां श्रवणे संस्पृशेत्तथा ॥ ४८ ॥

Transliteration

aniruddhapuruṣottamābhyāṃ netre smṛśettataḥ | adhokṣajanṛsiṃhābhyāṃ śravaṇe saṃspṛśettathā || 48 ||

Translation

Puis, en se souvenant d’Aniruddha et de Puruṣottama, qu’on touche (consacre) les yeux ; de même, en se souvenant d’Adhokṣaja et de Nṛsiṃha, qu’on touche (consacre) les oreilles.

Word by Word

• अनिरुद्ध-पुरुषोत्तमाभ्याम्: with/by (the names) Aniruddha and Puruṣottama
• अनिरुद्ध-पुरुषोत्तमाभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनिरुद्ध + पुरुषोत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास

• नेत्रे: the two eyes
• नेत्रे: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), द्विवचन

• स्मृशेत्: should touch
• स्मृशेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्पृश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; पाठभेद/रूप: ‘स्मृशेत्’ = ‘स्पृशेत्’ (touch)

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रम (thereafter)

• अधोक्षज-नृसिंहाभ्याम्: with/by (the names) Adhokṣaja and Nṛsiṃha
• अधोक्षज-नृसिंहाभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधोक्षज + नृसिंह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास

• श्रवणे: the two ears
• श्रवणे: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), द्विवचन; ‘two ears’ (dual)

• संस्पृशेत्: should touch
• संस्पृशेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्पृश् (धातु)
• Form: उपसर्ग: सम्; विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थ (thus/likewise)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Aniruddha
• Puruṣottama
• Adhokṣaja
• Nṛsiṃha

FAQs

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

It teaches sense-sanctification (indriya-śuddhi) through Viṣṇu-smaraṇa: the eyes and ears are ritually aligned with divine names so perception and hearing become instruments of devotion rather than distraction.

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

Bhakti is shown as practical remembrance: by touching the sense-organs while invoking Aniruddha, Puruṣottama, Adhokṣaja, and Nṛsiṃha, the devotee dedicates seeing and hearing to Viṣṇu—turning daily cognition into worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied ritual discipline—nyāsa/anga-sparśa with mantra-smaraṇa—showing technical procedure and correct sequencing (krama) used in devotional rites rather than a grammar or astrology lesson.