Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 173
Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa
The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala
मृत्युकाष्ठानले मृत्युपत्रपुष्पफलैरपि । समिद्भिर्जुहुयात्सम्यग्वारे शार्चनपूर्वकम् ॥ १७३ ॥
mṛtyukāṣṭhānale mṛtyupatrapuṣpaphalairapi | samidbhirjuhuyātsamyagvāre śārcanapūrvakam || 173 ||
Dalam api yang dinyalakan dengan kayu suci ‘mṛtyu’ (penangkal maut), hendaklah oblasi dipersembahkan dengan sempurna—juga menggunakan daun, bunga dan buah yang ditetapkan bagi upacara ‘mṛtyu’—bersama kayu samidh. Laksanakan pada hari yang ditentukan, didahului dengan pemujaan (arcana).
Narada (teaching within a technical/ritual section addressed to the Sanatkumara tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It emphasizes that life-protecting (mṛtyu-śānti) rites are not merely material acts: the efficacy depends on correct vidhi—proper materials, correct timing, and first establishing devotion through arcana (worship).
By stating śārcana-pūrvakam, it places worship before the fire-offering—showing that ritual action is meant to be grounded in reverence and devotional orientation, not performed mechanically.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is central: selection of specific samidh and offerings, and performance on the correct vāra (day/weekday), reflecting technical adherence to yajña-vidhi.