Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 129

Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa

The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala

Devanagari script

स्वजन्मर्क्षत्रिषु तथा दूर्वाभिर्ज्जुहुयान्नरः । निरातंको महाभोगः शतं वर्षाणि जीवति ॥ १२९ ॥

Transliteration

svajanmarkṣatriṣu tathā dūrvābhirjjuhuyānnaraḥ | nirātaṃko mahābhogaḥ śataṃ varṣāṇi jīvati || 129 ||

Translation

De même, lors des trois astérismes lunaires liés à sa naissance, l’homme doit offrir des oblations au homa avec l’herbe dūrvā. Il devient alors sans affliction, jouit d’une grande prospérité et vit cent ans.

Word by Word

• sva-janma-r̥kṣa-triṣu: in the three (occasions) of one’s birth-asterism
• sva-janma-r̥kṣa-triṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + janman (प्रातिपदिक) + r̥kṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + tri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (contextual), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural; samāsa: sva-janma-r̥kṣa (tatpuruṣa) + triṣu (loc. pl. of tri) = 'in the three (days/occasions) of one’s birth-star'

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha/Prakāra (सम्बन्ध/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• dūrvābhiḥ: with dūrvā grass
• dūrvābhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dūrvā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• juhuyāt: should offer (into fire)
• juhuyāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: hu (धातु)
• Form: Optative/विधिलिङ्, Parasmaipada, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• naraḥ: a man
• naraḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• nir-ātaṅkaḥ: free from fear/affliction
• nir-ātaṅkaḥ: Kartṛ-viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir (उपसर्ग) + ātaṅka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; adjective (विशेषण)

• mahā-bhogaḥ: greatly prosperous/enjoying much
• mahā-bhogaḥ: Kartṛ-viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bhoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; karmadhāraya-samāsa; adjective (विशेषण)

• śatam: a hundred
• śatam: Kāla-parimāṇa (कालपरिमाण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; numeral used as measure

• varṣāṇi: years
• varṣāṇi: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• jīvati: lives
• jīvati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jīv (धातु)
• Form: Present/लट्, Parasmaipada, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a Vedanga/ritual-astrology context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It presents a Jyotiṣa-linked rite: offering homa with dūrvā on birth-related nakṣatras as a dharmic method to remove afflictions and stabilize life-force (āyuḥ), resulting in well-being and longevity.

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

While primarily technical (Vedāṅga/Jyotiṣa), it supports bhakti indirectly by prescribing a disciplined, faith-based ritual act (homa) that purifies obstacles—making one’s life steadier for sustained worship and dharmic practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa (Vedic astrology) is foregrounded: timing rites by nakṣatra (birth-star related triad) and using a specific ritual substance (dūrvā) for oblation to counter inauspicious influences and promote āyuḥ and bhoga.