Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 58

The Explanation of the Twelve-Month Caturthī Vrata

Devanagari script

अशक्तो वर्णकैरेव शुभ्रं चाब्जं सुपत्रकम् । तस्योपरि घटं स्थाप्य ताम्रपात्रेण संयुतम् ॥ ५८ ॥

Transliteration

aśakto varṇakaireva śubhraṃ cābjaṃ supatrakam | tasyopari ghaṭaṃ sthāpya tāmrapātreṇa saṃyutam || 58 ||

Translation

ଯଦି ଅଶକ୍ତ ହୁଏ, ତେବେ ରଙ୍ଗଦ୍ୱାରା ଶୁଭ୍ର ଓ ସୁପତ୍ରକ ଅବ୍ଜ (ପଦ୍ମ) ତିଆରି କରି, ତାହାର ଉପରେ ତାମ୍ରପାତ୍ର ସହିତ ଯୁକ୍ତ କଳଶ ସ୍ଥାପନ କରିବ।

Word by Word

• अशक्तः: (if) unable
• अशक्तः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अशक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• वर्णकैः: with colors/paints
• वर्णकैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्णक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• एव: only/indeed
• एव: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (emphasis/only)

• शुभ्रम्: white
• शुभ्रम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• अब्जम्: a lotus
• अब्जम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अब्ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• सु-पत्रकम्: with beautiful petals
• सु-पत्रकम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + पत्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); कर्मधारय—सुन्दरं पत्रकं यस्य (having fine petals)

• तस्य: of it/of that
• तस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular); सर्वनाम

• उपरि: on top
• उपरि: देशाधिकरण (Spatial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उपरि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (spatial adverb) “on/above”

• घटम्: a pot
• घटम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• स्थाप्य: having placed
• स्थाप्य: पूर्वकालक्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive) from causative/denominative sense “स्थापयित्वा”; अव्ययभाव

• ताम्र-पात्रेण: with a copper vessel
• ताम्र-पात्रेण: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताम्र (प्रातिपदिक) + पात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—ताम्रस्य पात्रम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• संयुतम्: connected/attached
• संयुतम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-युज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; ‘joined/connected’ (agreeing with घटम्)

Speaker

Narada (teaching ritual substitutions/pratikalpa within a procedural context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

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

It teaches that sincere worship can be maintained through symbolically correct substitutes—purity of intent is preserved by using a white lotus form, a kalaśa, and a copper vessel even when full ritual resources are unavailable.

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

Bhakti is supported by accessible, orderly worship: even an aśakta devotee may continue disciplined offering by arranging sacred symbols (lotus, kalaśa) that uphold reverence and focus.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects ritual-technical know-how (kalpa/ācāra): correct materials and placements (lotus base, kalaśa above, copper vessel connection) show procedural precision typical of applied Vedic ritual science.