Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 145
Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa
The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala
सप्तरात्रप्रयोगेण नरो नारी नृपोऽपि वा । दासवद्वशमायाति चित्तप्राणादि चार्पयेत् ॥ १४५ ॥
saptarātraprayogeṇa naro nārī nṛpo'pi vā | dāsavadvaśamāyāti cittaprāṇādi cārpayet || 145 ||
Par l’accomplissement du rite des sept nuits, qu’il s’agisse d’un homme, d’une femme, ou même d’un roi, on devient maîtrisable comme un serviteur ; et le pratiquant doit alors offrir et remettre l’esprit, le souffle vital (prāṇa) et le reste.
Narada (instructional voice within the technical-ritual section, traditionally framed in Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue)
Vrata: Saptarātra (seven-night rite)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
The verse emphasizes that ritual practice (prayoga) is considered powerful and consequential; it also stresses that the practitioner must dedicate mind and life-force (citta–prāṇa) as an act of disciplined offering, implying responsibility and inner control alongside outer technique.
While the verse is framed as a technical rite, its closing instruction—offering the mind and prāṇa—aligns with bhakti’s inner principle of arpaṇa (dedication). It suggests that efficacy is not merely mechanical, but tied to focused surrender and intention.
It highlights prayoga-vidhi (applied ritual procedure) and disciplined mental focus—skills associated with technical ritual knowledge in the Vedāṅga-oriented portions of Book 1.3 (e.g., correct application, timing/sequence, and the practitioner’s controlled intention).