Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 55

Hanumān-mantra-kathana: Mantra-bheda, Nyāsa, Yantra, and Prayoga

Devanagari script

सर्षपैर्वश्यकृद्धोमो विद्वेषे हयमारजैः । कुंकुमैरिध्मकाष्ठैर्वा मरीचैर्जीरकैरपि ॥ ५५ ॥

Transliteration

sarṣapairvaśyakṛddhomo vidveṣe hayamārajaiḥ | kuṃkumairidhmakāṣṭhairvā marīcairjīrakairapi || 55 ||

Translation

Le homa accompli avec des graines de moutarde (sarsapa) engendre le rite d’attraction (vaśya). Pour susciter l’inimitié (vidveṣa), on l’accomplit avec hayamāraja. De même, on peut l’accomplir avec le kunkuma (safran), avec des bois de feu convenables, ainsi qu’avec le poivre noir (marīca) et le cumin (jīraka).

Word by Word

• सर्षपैः: with mustard seeds
• सर्षपैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्षप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; करण (instrument)

• वश्यकृत्: subjugating
• वश्यकृत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वश्य-कृत् (प्रातिपदिक; √कृ with कृत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; ‘causing subjugation’ (वश्यं करोति)

• होमः: the oblation (homa)
• होमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: होम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्ता/विषय (topic)

• विद्वेषे: in (a rite for) hostility
• विद्वेषे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्वेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; विषय/अधिकरण (in the context of enmity)

• हयमारजैः: with hayamāraja (ingredient)
• हयमारजैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हय-मारज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; करण; ‘with hayamāraja (a specific substance/ingredient)’

• कुङ्कुमैः: with saffron
• कुङ्कुमैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुङ्कुम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; करण

• इध्मकाष्ठैः: with fuel-sticks and wood
• इध्मकाष्ठैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इध्म-काष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; करण; ‘with fuel-sticks and wood’

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (or)

• मरीचैः: with black pepper
• मरीचैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मरीच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; करण

• जीरकैः: with cumin
• जीरकैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जीरक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; करण

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अप्यर्थ (also/even)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It classifies specific homa-dravyas (ritual substances) by their intended ritual effect, presenting the text’s technical, Vedanga-aligned approach to karmic rites rather than devotional theology.

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

This verse is primarily karmakanda-oriented (ritual technique). Indirectly, it shows that results are tied to prescribed means; in bhakti contexts, the Purana typically elevates devotion to Vishnu as the higher and purifying aim beyond result-driven rites.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is highlighted: choosing the correct dravya (mustard, saffron, pepper, cumin, etc.) as an upakaraṇa for a targeted homa, reflecting applied ritual taxonomy.