Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 86

The Exposition of the Krishna Mantra (Kṛṣṇa-mantra-prakāśa): Nyāsa, Dhyāna, Worship, Yantra, and Prayoga

Devanagari script

एवं ध्यात्वार्चयेत्कृष्णं पूर्ववद्वैष्णवोत्तमः । अपूपपायसान्नाद्यैर्नैवैद्यं परिकल्पयेत् ॥ ८६ ॥

Transliteration

evaṃ dhyātvārcayetkṛṣṇaṃ pūrvavadvaiṣṇavottamaḥ | apūpapāyasānnādyairnaivaidyaṃ parikalpayet || 86 ||

Translation

Ainsi, après avoir médité, le plus éminent des vaiṣṇavas doit adorer Kṛṣṇa comme il a été dit auparavant, et préparer le naivedya en offrande : gâteaux apūpa, riz au lait sucré (pāyasa), riz cuit et autres mets semblables.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb)

• ध्यात्वा: having meditated
• ध्यात्वा: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ध्यै (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकाल (having done), अव्ययभाव

• अर्चयेत्: should worship
• अर्चयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (sg)

• कृष्णम्: Krishna
• कृष्णम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• पूर्ववत्: as before
• पूर्ववत्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्ववत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb)

• वैष्णवोत्तमः: the best Vaishnava
• वैष्णवोत्तमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैष्णव (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/निर्धारणार्थः—‘वैष्णवानाम् उत्तमः’ (best among Vaishnavas)

• अपूपपायसान्नाद्यैः: with cakes, payasa, rice and the like
• अपूपपायसान्नाद्यैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपूप (प्रातिपदिक) + पायस (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्न (प्रातिपदिक) + आद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार-द्वन्द्व), तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘अपूप-पायस-अन्न-आद्यैः’ = with cakes, payasa, rice etc.

• नैवेद्यम्: food offering (naivedya)
• नैवेद्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नैवेद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• परिकल्पयेत्: should arrange/prepare
• परिकल्पयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि + कल्प् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (teaching ritual procedure in dialogue with the Sanatkumara brothers)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Krishna

FAQs

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

It teaches that worship becomes complete when meditation (inner offering) is followed by arcana and a sincere naivedya (outer offering), integrating devotion, attention, and reverent hospitality to Kṛṣṇa.

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

Bhakti is expressed through loving service: the devotee first contemplates Kṛṣṇa, then worships Him according to established method, and finally offers nourishing, pleasing foods—showing personal care and surrender.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual application is emphasized—proper sequencing of dhyāna → arcana → naivedya and the correct preparation/selection of offerings, aligning with āgamic and smārta-style pūjā discipline rather than grammar or astrology.