Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 103

Mantra-Māhātmya and Sādhana of Kārtavīryārjuna

Nyāsa, Yantra, Homa, and Dīpa-Vrata

Devanagari script

श्वमार्जाराखुसंस्पर्शे भवेद्भूपतितो भयम् । पात्रारंभे वसुपलैः कृतो दीपोऽखिलेष्टदः ॥ १०३ ॥

Transliteration

śvamārjārākhusaṃsparśe bhavedbhūpatito bhayam | pātrāraṃbhe vasupalaiḥ kṛto dīpo'khileṣṭadaḥ || 103 ||

Translation

Si un chien, un chat ou un rat touche l’installation rituelle, on dit qu’il en résulte la crainte du courroux du roi (ou la perte de sa faveur). Mais une lampe préparée au commencement du rite, avec du ghee de vache, accorde l’accomplissement de tous les vœux.

Word by Word

• श्व-मार्जार-आखु-संस्पर्शे: in the contact/touch of dog, cat, and mouse
• श्व-मार्जार-आखु-संस्पर्शे: अधिकरण (अधिकरणम्/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्व (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्जार (प्रातिपदिक) + आखु (प्रातिपदिक) + संस्पर्श (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (श्वादीनां संस्पर्शः) ; Locative of circumstance

• भवेत्: may arise/become
• भवेत्: क्रिया (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; ‘may become’

• भू-पतितः: (one) fallen on the ground
• भू-पतितः: कर्ता (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू (प्रातिपदिक) + पतित (कृदन्त, √पत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (भूमौ पतितः) ; subject complement

• भयम्: fear
• भयम्: कर्ता (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; predicate noun with भवेत्

• पात्र-आरम्भे: at the start/setting of the lamp-vessel
• पात्र-आरम्भे: अधिकरण (अधिकरणम्/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पात्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आरम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (पात्रस्य आरम्भः) ; locative ‘at the beginning/setting of the vessel’

• वसु-पलैः: by/with the guardians of wealth (attendants)
• वसु-पलैः: करण (करणम्/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसु (प्रातिपदिक) + पल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (वसूनि पालयन्ति/वसुभिः पालयन्ति इति; here ‘with protectors/guardians of wealth’ as an instrumental agent)

• कृतः: made
• कृतः: क्रिया (Verb-participle/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past passive participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; agrees with दीपः; ‘made’

• दीपः: lamp
• दीपः: कर्ता (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; subject

• अखिल-इष्ट-दः: giver of all desired (boons)
• अखिल-इष्ट-दः: विशेषण (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अखिल (प्रातिपदिक) + इष्ट (कृदन्त, √इष्/√इच्छ्) + द (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक from √दा)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (अखिलानि इष्टानि ददाति) ; adjective of दीपः

Speaker

Narada (in instruction/teaching mode within the technical-ritual section, addressed in the broader dialogue framework to Sanatkumara and the sages)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

The verse links external ritual discipline (avoiding impure/inauspicious contact) with inner intention, teaching that a properly established lamp at the start of a rite becomes a sanctifying support that helps accomplish one’s dharmic aims.

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

While primarily procedural, it elevates the dīpa as a devotional act: beginning worship with a correctly prepared lamp (often offered to the deity) is treated as a powerful upacāra that supports the devotee’s intended spiritual and worldly goals.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied ritual science—nimitta (omens) and shaucha (purity rules)—and the practical specification of materials and measures (ghee, pala-measure) used in rites, characteristic of technical instruction found in the Vedanga-oriented sections.