Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 173
Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa
The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala
मृत्युकाष्ठानले मृत्युपत्रपुष्पफलैरपि । समिद्भिर्जुहुयात्सम्यग्वारे शार्चनपूर्वकम् ॥ १७३ ॥
mṛtyukāṣṭhānale mṛtyupatrapuṣpaphalairapi | samidbhirjuhuyātsamyagvāre śārcanapūrvakam || 173 ||
Dans le feu allumé avec le bois sacré de « mṛtyu » (qui écarte la mort), on doit offrir les oblations comme il se doit, en utilisant aussi les feuilles, fleurs et fruits prescrits pour le rite « mṛtyu », avec les baguettes de combustible. Que cela soit accompli au jour fixé, précédé de l’adoration (arcana).
Narada (teaching within a technical/ritual section addressed to the Sanatkumara tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It emphasizes that life-protecting (mṛtyu-śānti) rites are not merely material acts: the efficacy depends on correct vidhi—proper materials, correct timing, and first establishing devotion through arcana (worship).
By stating śārcana-pūrvakam, it places worship before the fire-offering—showing that ritual action is meant to be grounded in reverence and devotional orientation, not performed mechanically.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is central: selection of specific samidh and offerings, and performance on the correct vāra (day/weekday), reflecting technical adherence to yajña-vidhi.