Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

Pūrṇimā-vrata (Lakṣmī–Nārāyaṇa-vrata): Observance, Moon Arghya, and Annual Udyāpana

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेच्छक्त्या ततश्च प्रयतो नरः । बन्धुभृत्यादिभिः सार्धं स्वयं भुञ्जीत वाग्यतः ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

brāhmaṇānbhojayecchaktyā tataśca prayato naraḥ | bandhubhṛtyādibhiḥ sārdhaṃ svayaṃ bhuñjīta vāgyataḥ || 20 ||

Translation

Menurut kemampuan, seseorang hendaklah terlebih dahulu menjamu para Brahmana; kemudian, dengan diri terkawal dan penuh perhatian, dia hendaklah makan bersama kaum kerabat, para hamba dan yang lain-lain—sambil menahan tutur kata.

Word by Word

• brāhmaṇān: Brahmins
• brāhmaṇān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• bhojayet: should feed
• bhojayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhuj (धातु) [causative/णिच्: bhojay-]
• Form: Causative (णिच्), Optative/विधिलिङ्, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• śaktyā: according to (one's) ability
• śaktyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kāla/Anantarya (काल/अनन्तर्य)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• prayataḥ: self-controlled, purified
• prayataḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prayata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• naraḥ: man
• naraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• bandhu-bhṛtya-ādibhiḥ: with relatives, servants, and others
• bandhu-bhṛtya-ādibhiḥ: Sahakārī/Saha (सहकारी/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bandhu (प्रातिपदिक) + bhṛtya (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); ādi-śabda indicates 'etc.' (आदि)

• sārdham: together with
• sārdham: Saha (सह)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sārdham (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), postposition/adverb meaning 'together with' (सह-अर्थे)

• svayam: oneself
• svayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), reflexive adverb (स्वार्थे)

• bhuñjīta: should eat
• bhuñjīta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhuj (धातु)
• Form: Optative/विधिलिङ्, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

• vāk-yataḥ: restrained in speech
• vāk-yataḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāc (प्रातिपदिक) + yata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'restrained in speech' (वाचि यतः)

Speaker

Narada (teaching dharma in a prescriptive, smṛti-style instruction)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana

FAQs

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

It teaches that eating becomes dharmic when preceded by honoring worthy recipients (especially Brāhmaṇas) and when done with self-restraint; the meal is treated as a disciplined act rather than mere enjoyment.

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

By emphasizing reverence, service, and restraint, it aligns daily household life with devotional purity—serving the sacred (through Brāhmaṇas and dependents) before satisfying oneself, which supports a sāttvika, bhakti-friendly lifestyle.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual discipline and proper procedure (kalpa-oriented sadācāra) are implied: order of feeding, eligibility of recipients, and behavioral restraint (vāgyama) as part of correct observance in domestic rites.