Shloka 21

Prabhāsa-kṣetra: Circuit of Tīrthas and Shrines Leading to Bhukti and Mokṣa

Devanagari script

स्नात्वा संतर्प्य देवादीन्सन्निहत्याफलं लभेत् । अथैकादश लिंगानि भूतेशादीनि योऽर्चयेत् ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

snātvā saṃtarpya devādīnsannihatyāphalaṃ labhet | athaikādaśa liṃgāni bhūteśādīni yo'rcayet || 21 ||

Translation

ಸ್ನಾನಮಾಡಿ ದೇವತೆಗಳನ್ನೂ ಇತರ ದಿವ್ಯಸತ್ತ್ವಗಳನ್ನೂ ತರ್ಪಣಾದಿಗಳಿಂದ ತೃಪ್ತಿಪಡಿಸಿದರೆ ‘ಸನ್ನಿಹತ್ಯಾ’ ಫಲವನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಾನೆ. ನಂತರ ಭೂತೇಶಾದಿ ಏಕಾದಶ ಲಿಂಗಗಳನ್ನು ಅರ್ಚಿಸುವವನು ಆ ಪುಣ್ಯವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದುತ್ತಾನೆ॥೨೧॥

Word by Word

• स्नात्वा: having bathed
• स्नात्वा: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्ना (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया; धातुः स्ना (स्नाने)

• संतर्प्य: having satisfied (offered refreshments)
• संतर्प्य: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+तृप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया; धातुः तृप् (तर्पणे)

• देवादीन्: the gods and others
• देवादीन्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव-आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (देवाः आदयः येषाम्)

• संनिहत्याफलम्: the fruit of (the tīrtha) Saṃnihati
• संनिहत्याफलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संनिहत्य-फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (संनिहत्यस्य फलम्)

• लभेत्: may obtain
• लभेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/अन्वय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/आरम्भसूचक (then/now)

• एकादश: eleven
• एकादश: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एकादश (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्याशब्दः; द्विगु-समासः (एक + दश) = 11; अत्र नपुंसक बहुवचन ‘लिङ्गानि’ इति विशेषणम्

• लिङ्गानि: liṅgas (emblems)
• लिङ्गानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• भूतेशादीनि: beginning with Bhūteśa
• भूतेशादीनि: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भूतेश-आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (भूतेशः आदिः येषाम्)

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बन्धक सर्वनाम

• अर्चयेत्: should worship
• अर्चयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Suta (narrating a Tirtha/ritual instruction within Uttara-Bhaga)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Bhutesha
• Linga (Shiva)

FAQs

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

It teaches a disciplined ritual sequence—purification (snāna), propitiation (devatārpaṇa), and focused worship (liṅgārcana)—stating that such ordered practice yields sacrifice-like merit (yajña-phala).

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

Bhakti is expressed through reverent preparation and sustained worship: honoring the divine order (devas) and then concentrating devotion through liṅga-archana, indicating that devotion becomes most fruitful when performed with purity and proper rites.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa (ritual procedure): the step-by-step ordering of acts—bathing, offerings to devas, and prescribed worship of specific liṅgas—showing how correct ritual sequencing is central to obtaining the intended religious merit.