Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 59

Pañca-prakṛti-nirūpaṇa and Mantra-vidhi: Rādhā, Mahālakṣmī, Durgā, Sarasvatī, Sāvitrī; plus Sāvitrī-Pañjara

Devanagari script

शंखपद्मनिधी पूज्यौ पार्श्वयोर्घृतचामरौ । धृतातपत्रं वरुणं पूजयेत्पश्चिमे ततः ॥ ५९ ॥

Transliteration

śaṃkhapadmanidhī pūjyau pārśvayorghṛtacāmarau | dhṛtātapatraṃ varuṇaṃ pūjayetpaścime tataḥ || 59 ||

Translation

Qu’on vénère, de part et d’autre, les deux divinités-trésors Śaṅkha et Padma, tenant des chāmaras enduits de ghee; puis, à l’ouest, qu’on adore Varuṇa, portant l’ombrelle royale.

Word by Word

• śaṃkha-padma-nidhī: the two treasures Śaṅkha and Padma
• śaṃkha-padma-nidhī: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṃkha + padma + nidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन)

• pūjyau: worthy of worship
• pūjyau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūjya (कृदन्त; √pūj पूज्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन); gerundive/ya-pratyaya (तव्यत्/यत्-अर्थे) ‘to be worshipped’

• pārśvayoḥ: at/on the two sides
• pārśvayoḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pārśva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Dual (द्विवचन)

• ghṛta-cāmarau: two yak-tail fans with ghee (smeared/held)
• ghṛta-cāmarau: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ghṛta + cāmara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन); ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa (घृतस्य चामरौ)

• dhṛta-ātapatram: holding an umbrella
• dhṛta-ātapatram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhṛta (कृदन्त; √dhṛ धृ) + ātapatra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); karmadhāraya/tatpuruṣa sense ‘held umbrella’ qualifying Varuṇa

• varuṇam: Varuṇa
• varuṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varuṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• pūjayet: should worship
• pūjayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pūj (पूज्)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); Parasmaipada

• paścime: in the west
• paścime: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paścima (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); used substantively ‘in the west’

• tataḥ: then/thereafter
• tataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) of sequence ‘then/from there’

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Shankha (Nidhi)
• Padma (Nidhi)
• Varuna

FAQs

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

It codifies a precise pūjā-layout: honoring prosperity (the Nidhis Śaṅkha and Padma) alongside directional guardianship (Varuṇa in the west), showing that worship integrates auspicious wealth with cosmic order (dik and devatā).

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

Bhakti here is expressed as disciplined service (upacāra) through correctly placed offerings and iconography—chowries and parasol—signifying reverence, royal honor, and attentive devotion in formal worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects ritual science—directional assignment (dik-vyavasthā) and upacāra protocol—skills aligned with Kalpa (procedural Vedic ritual manuals) and temple/altar arrangement conventions.