Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 8

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

आयुर्बलं यशो वर्चः प्रजाः पशुवसूनि च । श्रियं प्रज्ञां च मेधां च त्वं नो देहि वनस्पते ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

āyurbalaṃ yaśo varcaḥ prajāḥ paśuvasūni ca | śriyaṃ prajñāṃ ca medhāṃ ca tvaṃ no dehi vanaspate || 8 ||

Translation

Ô Vanaspati, Seigneur de la forêt, accorde-nous longévité et force, renommée et éclat; descendance, bétail et richesses; et donne-nous aussi la prospérité (śrī), la sagesse et l’intelligence pénétrante (medhā).

Word by Word

• आयुः: life-span
• आयुः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• बलम्: strength
• बलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• यशः: fame
• यशः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यशस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• वर्चः: splendor/vigor
• वर्चः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्चस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• प्रजाः: offspring/subjects
• प्रजाः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• पशुवसूनि: cattle and wealth
• पशुवसूनि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पशु-वसु (प्रातिपदिक; पशु + वसु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (पशवः च वसूनि च)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• श्रियम्: prosperity
• श्रियम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• प्रज्ञाम्: wisdom/intelligence
• प्रज्ञाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• मेधाम्: mental power/retentive intellect
• मेधाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेधा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• नः: to us/for us
• नः: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive) वा चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), बहुवचन; अत्र प्रायः चतुर्थ्यर्थे (to us)

• देहि: give
• देहि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative/आज्ञार्थ), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• वनस्पते: O lord of the forest (tree)
• वनस्पते: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वनस्पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (as a ritual/benediction formula within the Vedanga-oriented section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vanaspati

FAQs

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

It functions as a benedictory prayer asking nature’s presiding power (Vanaspati) to harmonize worldly well-being—life, vigor, reputation, family, and wealth—with inner excellence—śrī (auspicious prosperity), prajñā (wisdom), and medhā (intellect).

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

Bhakti here appears as reverent petition and gratitude toward a divine presiding principle; the devotee seeks not only material supports but also higher faculties (prajñā and medhā) that make dharmic living and God-centered practice possible.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse reflects mantra-prayoga used in rite-contexts: a structured list of desired fruits (āyuḥ, bala, yaśas, varcas, etc.) typical of Vedic ritual language, aligning with Vedanga concerns of correct liturgical usage and intended results.