Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 22

Gṛhastha-nitya-karman: Śauca, Sandhyā-vidhi, Pañca-yajña, and Āśrama-krama

Devanagari script

तलेनोरःस्थलं चैव अंगुल्यग्रैः शिरः स्पृशेत् । तलेन चांगुलाग्रैर्वा स्पृशेदंसौ विचक्षणः ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

talenoraḥsthalaṃ caiva aṃgulyagraiḥ śiraḥ spṛśet | talena cāṃgulāgrairvā spṛśedaṃsau vicakṣaṇaḥ || 22 ||

Translation

ତଳହାତରେ ବକ୍ଷସ୍ଥଳକୁ ସ୍ପର୍ଶ କରିବା ଉଚିତ ଏବଂ ଆଙ୍ଗୁଳିର ଅଗ୍ରଭାଗରେ ଶିରକୁ ସ୍ପର୍ଶ କରିବା ଉଚିତ। କିମ୍ବା ବିଚକ୍ଷଣ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ତଳହାତ ଓ ଆଙ୍ଗୁଳିର ଅଗ୍ରଭାଗରେ ଦୁଇ କାନ୍ଧକୁ ସ୍ପର୍ଶ କରୁ॥୨୨॥

Word by Word

• तलेन: with the palm
• तलेन: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• उरः-स्थलम्: the chest area
• उरः-स्थलम्: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उरस् (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (उरसः स्थलम्)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed/also
• एव: सम्बन्ध (particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphasis)

• अङ्गुलि-अग्रैः: with the fingertips
• अङ्गुलि-अग्रैः: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुलि (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अङ्गुलीनाम् अग्राणि)

• शिरः: the head
• शिरः: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• स्पृशेत्: should touch
• स्पृशेत्: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्पृश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तलेन: with the palm
• तलेन: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अङ्गुल-अग्रैः: with the fingertips
• अङ्गुल-अग्रैः: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुल (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अङ्गुलानाम् अग्राणि)

• वा: or
• वा: विकल्प (alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्प-अव्यय (or)

• स्पृशेत्: should touch
• स्पृशेत्: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्पृश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अंसौ: the two shoulders
• अंसौ: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अंस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), द्विवचन

• विचक्षणः: the discerning one
• विचक्षणः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (in an instructional/technical passage on conduct and regulated practice)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It emphasizes disciplined, mindful conduct—showing that even small physical actions should be regulated by dharma and performed with discernment rather than impulse.

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

By training external behavior and self-control, it supports the inner purity (śauca, saṃyama) that stabilizes devotional practice, making worship and service more attentive and respectful.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It aligns with Shiksha-type practical discipline—codified rules of correct practice and etiquette that accompany learning, recitation, and regulated conduct.