Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

तत्क्षणाद्विरजा मन्त्री जायते स्फटिकोपमः । ततः श्रौतोक्तविधिना स्नात्वा मन्त्री समाहितः ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

tatkṣaṇādvirajā mantrī jāyate sphaṭikopamaḥ | tataḥ śrautoktavidhinā snātvā mantrī samāhitaḥ || 23 ||

Translation

അന്നേ ക്ഷണത്തിൽ മന്ത്രസാധകൻ മലിനതരഹിതനായി സ്ഫടികംപോലെ തെളിഞ്ഞവനാകുന്നു. തുടർന്ന് ശ്രൗതവിധിപ്രകാരം സ്നാനം ചെയ്ത് അവൻ സമാഹിതനായി ഏകാഗ്രനായി നിലകൊള്ളുന്നു॥२३॥

Word by Word

• तत्क्षणात्: from that very moment
• तत्क्षणात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत् + क्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; अव्ययीभावार्थे तत्पुरुषः (तस्मिन् क्षणे/ततः क्षणात्)

• विरजा: free from impurity
• विरजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विरज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण (निर्मलः)

• मन्त्री: the mantra-practitioner
• मन्त्री: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्रिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• जायते: is born/becomes
• जायते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जन् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• स्फटिकोपमः: like crystal
• स्फटिकोपमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्फटिक + उपम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुषः (स्फटिकस्य उपमः)

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय/तद्-तसिल्)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb)

• श्रौतोक्तविधिना: by the procedure stated in the Śrauta tradition
• श्रौतोक्तविधिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रौत + उक्त + विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (श्रौतेन उक्तः विधिः)

• स्नात्वा: having bathed
• स्नात्वा: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्ना (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); पूर्वक्रिया (having bathed)

• मन्त्री: the mantra-practitioner
• मन्त्री: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्रिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• समाहितः: collected, composed
• समाहितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + आ + धा (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; क्त-प्रत्यय (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (एकाग्रः/समाधिस्थः)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a dialogue framed around Vedic technical disciplines, commonly addressed to Sanatkumara and the Kumara brothers)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It presents purification as both inner (virajā—freedom from impurity and mental agitation) and outer (Śrauta-prescribed snāna), culminating in crystal-like clarity and steadiness of mind (samāhita).

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

While framed in ritual language, it supports bhakti by emphasizing śauca (purity) and a collected mind—conditions that make mantra-japa and remembrance of the Divine steady and effective.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Śrauta-ukta-vidhi points to precise Vedic ritual procedure (kalpa/śrauta practice): performing the correct form of snāna and maintaining samādhāna (focused composure) during mantra application.