Shloka 38

Tithi-vicara

Determination of Tithi for Fasts, Parana, and Pitri Rites

Devanagari script

पलवेधेऽपि विप्रेंद्रा दशम्या वर्जयेच्छिवाम् । सुराया बिंदुना स्पृष्टं यथा गंगाजलंत्यजेत् ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

palavedhe'pi vipreṃdrā daśamyā varjayecchivām | surāyā biṃdunā spṛṣṭaṃ yathā gaṃgājalaṃtyajet || 38 ||

Translation

ഹേ വിപ്രേന്ദ്രന്മാരേ, ക്ഷാമസമയത്തിലും (പലവേധേ) ദശമിദിനത്തിൽ ശിവപൂജ ഒഴിവാക്കണം; മദ്യത്തിന്റെ ഒരു തുള്ളി തൊട്ട ഗംഗാജലം എങ്ങനെ ഉപേക്ഷിക്കുമോ അതുപോലെ.

Word by Word

• palavedhe: in/at the palavedha (minor piercing/overlap)
• palavedhe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: palavedha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग)

• api: even/also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात): concessive 'even/also'

• vipra-indrāḥ: O best of brahmins
• vipra-indrāḥ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक) + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Plural; Masculine; Tatpuruṣa: 'O lords among brahmins'

• daśamyāḥ: from the tenth (tithi)
• daśamyāḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daśamī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग)

• varjayet: should avoid
• varjayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vṛj (वृज्, धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; Parasmaipada

• śivām: Śivā (tithi)
• śivām: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śivā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग); here = Ekādaśī named 'Śivā'

• surāyāḥ: by liquor
• surāyāḥ: Karaṇa (करण/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: surā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग)

• bindunā: by a drop
• bindunā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bindu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग)

• spṛṣṭam: touched/contaminated
• spṛṣṭam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √spṛś (स्पृश्, धातु) → spṛṣṭa (कृदन्त)
• Form: Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग); Past passive participle (क्त) qualifying gaṅgā-jalam

• yathā: just as
• yathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Comparative particle (उपमानवाचक अव्यय): 'just as'

• gaṅgā-jalam: Ganges water
• gaṅgā-jalam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṅgā (प्रातिपदिक) + jala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; Neuter; Tatpuruṣa: 'water of the Ganges'

• tyajet: should abandon
• tyajet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √tyaj (त्यज्, धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; Parasmaipada

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none (rule tied to Daśamī; likely in service of Ekādaśī discipline, but not named here)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ganga
• Brahmanas

FAQs

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

It emphasizes strict tithi-based discipline (vrata-niyama): certain acts of worship are considered unsuitable on specific lunar days, and purity is treated as essential—illustrated by the metaphor of Gaṅgā-water becoming rejectable if contaminated.

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

Bhakti here is shown as regulated devotion—reverence expressed through obedience to scriptural timing and purity rules, not merely emotion; devotion is protected by niyama (proper observance).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects calendrical ritual practice tied to tithi (Daśamī), aligning with Jyotiṣa-based scheduling of rites and the Dharmaśāstra-style rules of śauca (ritual purity).