Shloka 55

Tīrtha-vidhi (Procedure for Holy Places) — Prayāgarāja-māhātmya

Devanagari script

सश्मश्रुकेशवपनं मुंडनं तद्विदुर्बुधाः । न क्षौरं मुंडनं सुभ्रु कीर्तितं वेदवेदिभिः ॥ ५५ ॥

Transliteration

saśmaśrukeśavapanaṃ muṃḍanaṃ tadvidurbudhāḥ | na kṣauraṃ muṃḍanaṃ subhru kīrtitaṃ vedavedibhiḥ || 55 ||

Translation

Les sages savent que le « muṇḍana » est l’enlèvement à la fois de la barbe et des cheveux. Ô toi aux beaux sourcils, les connaisseurs du Veda déclarent que le simple rasage (kṣaura) n’est pas ce qu’on appelle muṇḍana.

Word by Word

• स-श्मश्रु-केश-वपनम्: shaving of beard and hair
• स-श्मश्रु-केश-वपनम्: Karma/Predicate-noun (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्मश्रु (प्रातिपदिक) + केश (प्रातिपदिक) + वपन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (समाहार/सम्बन्ध): ‘beard-and-hair shaving’

• मुण्डनम्: tonsure/shaving
• मुण्डनम्: Karma/Predicate-noun (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुण्डन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• विदुः: know
• विदुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन

• बुधाः: the wise (people)
• बुधाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), बहुवचन

• न: not
• न: Negation (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध-निपात

• क्षौरम्: razor-shaving
• क्षौरम्: Karma/Predicate-noun (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षौर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• मुण्डनम्: tonsure
• मुण्डनम्: Karma/Predicate-noun (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुण्डन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सुभ्रु: O fair-browed lady
• सुभ्रु: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुभ्रू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• कीर्तितम्: is declared
• कीर्तितम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कीर्त् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle used predicatively); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वेद-वेदिभिः: by the knowers of the Veda
• वेद-वेदिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + वेदिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘knowers of the Veda’

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It clarifies ritual precision: a vowed act (vrata) should be performed exactly as defined by Vedic authorities—here, ‘muṇḍana’ means complete removal of hair including the beard, not a partial shave.

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

It supports bhakti through disciplined observance: devotional practices become effective when the devotee follows the prescribed niyamas accurately, showing sincerity and reverence for śāstra.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects śrauta/smārta ritual terminology and procedural correctness (kalpa-style precision): distinguishing technical terms used in vows and rites so the intended observance is not diluted.