Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 4

The Pañcarātra Vow (Haripañcaka Vrata): Observance from Śukla Ekādaśī to Pūrṇimā

Devanagari script

कुर्यात्स्नानादिकं कर्म दन्तधावनपूर्वकम । कृत्वा देवार्चनं सम्यक्तथा पञ्च महाध्वरान् ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

kuryātsnānādikaṃ karma dantadhāvanapūrvakama | kṛtvā devārcanaṃ samyaktathā pañca mahādhvarān || 4 ||

Translation

歯を清めることを先として沐浴などの行をなし、ついで諸デーヴァを正しく礼拝し、さらに五つの大供犠（パンチャ・マハーヤジュニャ）をも修すべし。

Word by Word

• kuryāt: should do
• kuryāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्/optative), Prathama-puruṣa (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• snāna-ādikam: bathing and the like
• snāna-ādikam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: snāna (प्रातिपदिक) + ādika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: snānam ādiḥ yasya tat = bathing etc. (a set beginning with bathing)

• karma: act, rite
• karma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• danta-dhāvana-pūrvakam: preceded by cleaning the teeth
• danta-dhāvana-pūrvakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: danta (प्रातिपदिक) + dhāvana (प्रातिपदिक) + pūrvaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: dantadhāvanena pūrvakam = preceded by tooth-cleaning; adjective qualifying karma

• kṛtvā: having done
• kṛtvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), avyaya-kṛdanta (अव्ययकृदन्त) expressing prior action

• deva-arcanam: worship of the gods
• deva-arcanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + arcana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: devānām arcanam = worship of the gods

• samyak: properly, duly
• samyak: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samyak (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय)

• tathā: and likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb/connector (तथाबोधक अव्यय)

• pañca: five
• pañca: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañca (प्रातिपदिक/संख्याशब्द)
• Form: Numeral (संख्यावाचक), Indeclinable-like usage; here qualifying mahādhvarān (Accusative plural)

• mahā-dhvarān: great sacrifices (five great rites)
• mahā-dhvarān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + dhvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन); karmadhāraya: mahāntaḥ dhvarāḥ = great sacrifices/rites

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada on nitya-karma and dharma)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Haripañcaka (contextual)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Devas

FAQs

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

It establishes the dharmic order of daily life: bodily purification (śauca), reverent worship (devārcana), and social-sacred responsibility through the pañca-mahāyajñas—making everyday conduct itself a form of sacred practice.

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

By placing devārcana (proper worship) after purification, it frames bhakti as disciplined, attentive service—devotion expressed through orderly daily worship and offerings rather than mere sentiment.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure and right performance (kalpa-oriented nitya-karma) are implied—how daily rites are sequenced (cleanliness → worship → yajñas) for correct observance.