Shloka 117

Glory of Puruṣottama: Pañcatīrthī Observance and Narasiṃha Worship

Devanagari script

मृत्तिकां सप्त वल्मीके श्मशाने च चतुष्पथे । रक्तचंदनसंमिश्रां गवां क्षीरेण लेपयेत् ॥ ११७ ॥

Transliteration

mṛttikāṃ sapta valmīke śmaśāne ca catuṣpathe | raktacaṃdanasaṃmiśrāṃ gavāṃ kṣīreṇa lepayet || 117 ||

Translation

Qu’on prenne de l’argile de sept termitières, ainsi que (de l’argile) d’un lieu de crémation et d’un carrefour. Qu’on la mêle au santal rouge et qu’on l’applique en pâte avec du lait de vache.

Word by Word

• mṛttikām: clay; earth
• mṛttikām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛttikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (f.), Dvitīyā-vibhakti (2nd), Ekavacana

• sapta: seven
• sapta: Saṅkhyā-viśeṣaṇa (संख्याविशेषण/Numeral qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sapta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Saṅkhyā (numeral), indeclinable-like; used as adjective qualifying mṛttikā (implied ‘(from) seven (places)’ )

• valmīke: in/from an anthill
• valmīke: Apādāna/Adhikaraṇa (अपादान/अधिकरण; source/place)
• Type: Noun
• Root: valmīka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Saptamī-vibhakti (7th), Ekavacana

• śmaśāne: in/from a cremation-ground
• śmaśāne: Apādāna/Adhikaraṇa (अपादान/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śmaśāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), Saptamī-vibhakti (7th), Ekavacana

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction

• catuṣ-pathe: at a crossroads
• catuṣ-pathe: Apādāna/Adhikaraṇa (अपादान/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: catuṣ (प्रातिपदिक) + patha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Saptamī-vibhakti (7th), Ekavacana; dvigu: “four-way road/crossroads”

• rakta-candana-saṃmiśrām: mixed with red sandalwood
• rakta-candana-saṃmiśrām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rakta (प्रातिपदिक) + candana (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃmiśra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (f.), Dvitīyā-vibhakti (2nd), Ekavacana; agreeing with mṛttikām; “mixed with red sandal”

• gavām: of cows
• gavām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (f.), Ṣaṣṭhī-vibhakti (6th), Bahuvacana

• kṣīreṇa: with milk
• kṣīreṇa: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), Tṛtīyā-vibhakti (3rd), Ekavacana

• lepayet: should smear; should apply (as paste)
• lepayet: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: lip (धातु)
• Form: Vidhiliṅ-lakāra (Optative), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a ritual/mahatmya context; traditional dialogue frame with Sanatkumara lineage implied)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It prescribes a specific dharmic ritual application (lepa) using ritually potent earth-substances and auspicious ingredients (red sandalwood and cow’s milk), emphasizing purification and the correct use of sacred materials in anushthana.

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

While not directly teaching devotion through praise or mantra, it supports Bhakti-practice by outlining disciplined ritual purity and correct observance—often treated as preparatory conduct that steadies the devotee for worship and vrata.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights practical ritual procedure (prayoga) and dravya-śuddhi (purificatory use of substances), aligning with applied dharma/kalpa-style knowledge rather than grammar or astrology.