Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

Varṇāśrama Saṁskāras, Upanayana Windows, Brahmacārin Ācāra, and Anadhyāya Prohibitions

Devanagari script

नासाग्रसंमितं दण्डं वैश्यस्याहुर्विपश्चितः । तथा वासांसि वक्ष्यामि विप्रादीनां यथाक्रमम् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

nāsāgrasaṃmitaṃ daṇḍaṃ vaiśyasyāhurvipaścitaḥ | tathā vāsāṃsi vakṣyāmi viprādīnāṃ yathākramam || 20 ||

Translation

പണ്ഡിതർ പറയുന്നു: വൈശ്യന്റെ ദണ്ഡം മൂക്കിന്റെ അഗ്രം വരെ അളക്കണം. ഇനി ബ്രാഹ്മണാദി വർണങ്ങൾക്ക് നിശ്ചയിച്ച വസ്ത്രങ്ങളും ക്രമമായി ഞാൻ വിവരിക്കും.

Word by Word

• नासा-अग्र-संमितम्: measured to the nose-tip
• नासा-अग्र-संमितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नासा (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक) + संमित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘measured to the tip of the nose’

• दण्डम्: staff
• दण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वैश्यस्य: of the Vaiśya
• वैश्यस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• आहुः: they say
• आहुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अह्/ब्रू (धातु; ‘to say’)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• विपश्चितः: the wise (people)
• विपश्चितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विपश्चित् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• वासांसि: garments
• वासांसि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• वक्ष्यामि: I shall describe
• वक्ष्यामि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (simple future), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• विप्र-आदीनाम्: of the Brāhmaṇa and others
• विप्र-आदीनाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (‘vipra and others’ as a class); पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• यथा-क्रमम्: in due order
• यथा-क्रमम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśya
• Vipra (Brāhmaṇa)

FAQs

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

It frames external discipline (staff and clothing) as part of dharma for a student, reinforcing order, restraint, and identity within prescribed duties.

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

While not directly teaching bhakti, it supports bhakti’s foundation: regulated living and purity of conduct, which steadies the mind for worship and remembrance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects kalpa-style practical ritual regulation—standardized measurements and prescriptions used in samskāras and brahmacarya observances.