Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 168

Hanūmaccarita

The Account of Hanumān

Devanagari script

बाहुमूले च कंठे च विलिप्यासांद्रमेव च । मस्तके जापकं न्यस्य पंचगंधविलेपनम् ॥ १६८ ॥

Transliteration

bāhumūle ca kaṃṭhe ca vilipyāsāṃdrameva ca | mastake jāpakaṃ nyasya paṃcagaṃdhavilepanam || 168 ||

Translation

Qu’on applique la pâte épaisse à la base du bras et au cou; puis, en posant le jāpaka (cordon de japa/chapelet) sur la tête, qu’on s’oigne du pañcagandha, les cinq parfums sacrés.

Word by Word

• bāhu-mūle: at the armpit/base of the arm
• bāhu-mūle: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāhu (प्रातिपदिक) + mūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (बाहोः मूलम्)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• kaṇṭhe: on the neck
• kaṇṭhe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaṇṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• vilipya: having smeared
• vilipya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-lip (लिप् धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभाव; धातु: लिप्, उपसर्ग: वि; अर्थ: ‘विलेप्य/लेपं कृत्वा’ (having smeared)

• a-sāndram: a thin (ointment)
• a-sāndram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: a-sāndra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; नञ्-समास; कर्म (लेप्य-वस्तु)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (indeed/just)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• mastake: on the head
• mastake: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mastaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• jāpakam: a chaplet/garland (jāpaka)
• jāpakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jāpaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• nyasya: having placed
• nyasya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-as (अस्/न्यस् धातु; √as with ni, ‘to place’)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभाव; उपसर्ग: नि; अर्थ: ‘निक्षिप्य/स्थापयित्वा’ (having placed)

• pañca-gandha-vilepanam: the five-fragrance unguent
• pañca-gandha-vilepanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pañca (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक) + gandha (प्रातिपदिक) + vilepana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (पञ्चगन्धानां विलेपनम्)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue frame)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It prescribes bodily sanctification for mantra practice—using sacred scents (pañcagandha) and honoring japa by placing the jāpaka on the head—signaling reverence, purity, and disciplined worship.

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

By emphasizing careful preparation for japa and devotional observance, it teaches that bhakti is expressed through respectful, embodied ritual actions that support steady remembrance of the deity through mantra.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure and correct practice for japa (mantra-recitation) are highlighted—how to prepare the body with prescribed anointing and how to treat the japa implement with reverence as part of vrata/ācāra.