Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 59

Dīpa-vidhi-vyākhyānam

Procedure for Lamp-Offering to Hanumān

Devanagari script

अलक्तं दरदं रक्तचंदनं चंदनं मधु । कस्तूरिका दधि क्षीरं नवनीतं धृतं तथा ॥ ५९ ॥

Transliteration

alaktaṃ daradaṃ raktacaṃdanaṃ caṃdanaṃ madhu | kastūrikā dadhi kṣīraṃ navanītaṃ dhṛtaṃ tathā || 59 ||

Translation

അലക്തം, ദരദം, രക്തചന്ദനം, ചന്ദനം, മധു, കസ്തൂരി, ദധി, ക്ഷീരം, നവനീതം, ഘൃതം എന്നിവയും (ദ്രവ്യങ്ങൾ)॥५९॥

Word by Word

• अलक्तम्: lac-dye (red lac)
• अलक्तम्: समुच्चित (Item in list/समुच्चित)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अलक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सूची-पद

• दरदम्: red mineral/pigment (darada)
• दरदम्: समुच्चित (Item in list/समुच्चित)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दरद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सूची-पद

• रक्तचन्दनम्: red sandalwood
• रक्तचन्दनम्: समुच्चित (Item in list/समुच्चित)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + चन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (रक्तं चन्दनम्)

• चन्दनम्: sandalwood
• चन्दनम्: समुच्चित (Item in list/समुच्चित)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सूची-पद

• मधु: honey
• मधु: समुच्चित (Item in list/समुच्चित)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सूची-पद

• कस्तूरिका: musk
• कस्तूरिका: समुच्चित (Item in list/समुच्चित)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कस्तूरिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सूची-पद

• दधि: curd/yogurt
• दधि: समुच्चित (Item in list/समुच्चित)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सूची-पद

• क्षीरम्: milk
• क्षीरम्: समुच्चित (Item in list/समुच्चित)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सूची-पद

• नवनीतम्: fresh butter
• नवनीतम्: समुच्चित (Item in list/समुच्चित)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नवनीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सूची-पद

• धृतम्: ghee
• धृतम्: समुच्चित (Item in list/समुच्चित)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सूची-पद

• तथा: and also
• तथा: सम्बन्ध (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: ‘also/and likewise’)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada, listing ritual substances)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It emphasizes purity and appropriateness of ritual substances (dravya) used in Vedic-Puranic worship and consecratory acts, showing that devotion is expressed through correct materials offered with sacred intent.

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

Bhakti is supported by upacāra (reverential offerings): fragrant woods, sweet and nourishing items like honey, milk, butter, and ghee become tangible expressions of reverence when offered according to scriptural procedure.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects kalpa-style practicality (ritual procedure): identifying specific dravyas required for rites—especially unguents, fragrances, and dairy/ghee used in homa, abhiṣeka, and other prescribed observances.