Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 96

Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa

The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala

Devanagari script

जपादाडिमबंधूककिंशुकाद्यैः समर्चयेत् । अन्यैः सुगंधिशेफालीकुसुमाद्यैः समर्चयेत् ॥ ९६ ॥

Transliteration

japādāḍimabaṃdhūkakiṃśukādyaiḥ samarcayet | anyaiḥ sugaṃdhiśephālīkusumādyaiḥ samarcayet || 96 ||

Translation

Qu’on l’honore avec des fleurs telles que la japa (hibiscus), la fleur de grenadier, bandhūka, kiṃśuka et autres; et qu’on l’honore aussi avec d’autres fleurs parfumées, comme la sephālī et des floraisons semblables.

Word by Word

• japā-dāḍima-bandhūka-kiṃśuka-ādyaiḥ: with hibiscus, pomegranate, bandhūka, kiṃśuka, etc.
• japā-dāḍima-bandhūka-kiṃśuka-ādyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: japā (प्रातिपदिक) + dāḍima (प्रातिपदिक) + bandhūka (प्रातिपदिक) + kiṃśuka (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga (collective) Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); द्वन्द्व-समासः (itaretara/collection) with ādi 'etc.'; instrumental 'with/using'

• samarcayet: should worship (well)
• samarcayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√arc (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (optative), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• anyaiḥ: with other (flowers)
• anyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; used adjectivally with the following instrumental compound

• sugandhi-śephālī-kusuma-ādyaiḥ: with fragrant śephālī flowers etc.
• sugandhi-śephālī-kusuma-ādyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su-gandhi (प्रातिपदिक) + śephālī (प्रातिपदिक) + kusuma (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga (collective) Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; तत्पुरुषः—'sugandhīni śephālī-kusumāni' (fragrant śephālī flowers etc.), instrumental 'with'

• samarcayet: should worship
• samarcayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√arc (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ, Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada ritual details)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It teaches that devotion is expressed through proper upacāra—reverent offerings—using pure and auspicious flowers, making worship both beautiful and disciplined.

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

Bhakti here is practical: the devotee honors the deity with thoughtfully chosen offerings, showing attentiveness, purity, and loving service through ritual worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual procedure (kalpa-style guidance): specifying suitable materials for worship—particularly the selection of flowers used in formal pūjā.