Shloka 41

Description of the Rules for Charitable Gifts and Related Rites

Gaṅgā-māhātmya

Devanagari script

धूपैर्दीपैश्च नैवेद्यैर्यथा विभवविस्तरैः । कल्पकोटिसहस्राणि कल्पकोटिशतानि च ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

dhūpairdīpaiśca naivedyairyathā vibhavavistaraiḥ | kalpakoṭisahasrāṇi kalpakoṭiśatāni ca || 41 ||

Translation

Avec encens, lampes et naivedya (offrandes de nourriture), selon les moyens et les ressources de chacun, (le mérite) demeure durant des milliers de koṭi de kalpa, et même des centaines de koṭi de kalpa.

Word by Word

• धूपैः: with incense
• धूपैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; करण (with incense)

• दीपैः: with lamps
• दीपैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; करण (with lamps)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• नैवेद्यैः: with offerings (naivedya)
• नैवेद्यैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नैवेद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; करण (with food-offerings)

• यथा: according to
• यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमान/प्रकारवाचक (as/according to)

• विभव-विस्तरैः: with (as per) one’s means/ability
• विभव-विस्तरैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विभव (प्रातिपदिक) + विस्तार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (vibhavasya vistaraḥ: extent of one’s means)

• कल्प-कोटि-सहस्राणि: thousands of crores of kalpas
• कल्प-कोटि-सहस्राणि: Karma/Phala (कर्म/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल्प (प्रातिपदिक) + कोटि (प्रातिपदिक) + सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक-तत्पुरुष (koṭīnāṃ sahasrāṇi: thousands of crores of kalpas)

• कल्प-कोटि-शतानि: hundreds of crores of kalpas
• कल्प-कोटि-शतानि: Karma/Phala (कर्म/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल्प (प्रातिपदिक) + कोटि (प्रातिपदिक) + शत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक-तत्पुरुष (koṭīnāṃ śatāni: hundreds of crores of kalpas)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

Speaker

Narada (teaching within Uttara-Bhaga Tirtha/Mahatmya context; traditional dialogue flow attributed to Narada’s narration)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It teaches that sincere worship through dhūpa (incense), dīpa (lamp), and naivedya (offering) brings extraordinarily long-lasting merit, and that the offering is validated by devotion and suitability to one’s means.

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

Bhakti is shown as accessible: one worships with simple, tangible acts (incense, lamp, food) without competing displays—“yathā vibhava”—and the text emphasizes vast spiritual fruit arising from heartfelt devotional service.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual practice (kalpa/ācāra) is implied: standard upacāras like dhūpa, dīpa, and naivedya are core components of pūjā, and the verse underscores proportionate, rule-aligned offering rather than extravagance.