Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

परिधायाम्बरं शुद्धं मङ्गलारार्तिकं चरेत् । अस्त्रेण पात्रं संप्रोक्ष्य मूलेन ज्वालयेच्च तम् ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

paridhāyāmbaraṃ śuddhaṃ maṅgalārārtikaṃ caret | astreṇa pātraṃ saṃprokṣya mūlena jvālayecca tam || 12 ||

Translation

ശുദ്ധവസ്ത്രം ധരിച്ചു മംഗളാരതി നടത്തണം; അസ്ത്രമന്ത്രം ചൊല്ലി പാത്രം സംപ്രോക്ഷിച്ച്, തുടർന്ന് മൂലമന്ത്രം കൊണ്ട് അത് തെളിയിക്കണം।

Word by Word

• paridhāya: having worn
• paridhāya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari + dhā (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), from √dhā with upasarga pari-; ‘having put on/worn’

• ambaram: garment
• ambaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ambara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• śuddham: pure
• śuddham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; adjective qualifying ambaram

• maṅgala-ārārtikam: auspicious ārati
• maṅgala-ārārtikam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maṅgala + ārārtika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारयः—‘auspicious ārārtika (waving of lights)’

• caret: should perform
• caret: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: car (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada; ‘should perform’

• astreṇa: with the Astra (mantra)
• astreṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: astra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); mantra-name ‘Astra’

• pātram: vessel (lamp-plate)
• pātram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• saṃprokṣya: having sprinkled
• saṃprokṣya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam + pra + ukṣ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), from √ukṣ ‘to sprinkle’ with upasargas sam-, pra-; ‘having sprinkled’

• mūlena: with the root (mantra)
• mūlena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• jvālayet: should light
• jvālayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jval (धातु; causative)
• Form: Causative (णिजन्त) of √jval ‘to blaze’; Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada; ‘should light/kindle’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable conjunction (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• tam: that (it)
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुंसक), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); pronoun referring to pātram/ārārtikam contextually

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada within the Vedanga/ritual-technical discourse)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It emphasizes śauca (purity) and mantra-siddha action: outer cleanliness (clean clothing) is joined with inner sanctification through mantras, making the ārati an auspicious, protected offering.

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

Bhakti is expressed through disciplined worship: the devotee performs ārati with reverence, purifies the offering-vessel, and lights it by invoking the deity through the Mūla-mantra—turning a simple act into consecrated devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual prayoga (application): the use of specific mantras for specific functions—Astra-mantra for protection/purification and Mūla-mantra for energizing/initiating the main act (lighting the lamp/vessel).