Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 63

Śrāddha-prayoga: Niyama, Brāhmaṇa-parīkṣā, Kutapa-kāla, Tithi-nyāya, and Vaiṣṇava-phala

Devanagari script

पाकादिं च प्रशंसेरन् वाग्यता धृतभाजनाः । यदि पात्रं त्यजेत्कोऽपि ब्राह्मणः श्राद्धयोजितः ॥ ६३ ॥

Transliteration

pākādiṃ ca praśaṃseran vāgyatā dhṛtabhājanāḥ | yadi pātraṃ tyajetko'pi brāhmaṇaḥ śrāddhayojitaḥ || 63 ||

Translation

ପାତ୍ର ଧରି ଓ ବାକ୍-ସଂଯମ ରଖି ସେମାନେ ପାକା ଅନ୍ନ ଆଦିର ପ୍ରଶଂସା କରିବେ। ଯଦି ଶ୍ରାଦ୍ଧରେ ନିଯୁକ୍ତ କୌଣସି ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣ ପାତ୍ର ତ୍ୟାଗ କରେ (ଛାଡ଼ି ଯାଏ),

Word by Word

• पाकादिम्: the cooking and the like
• पाकादिम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाक + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: पाक-आदि (cooking etc.)

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक conjunction

• प्रशंसेरन्: they should praise/commend
• प्रशंसेरन्: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-शंस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• वाग्यता: restraint of speech; silence
• वाग्यता: कर्ता/विधेय (Subject/predicate quality)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाग्यता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; भाववाचक (state of)

• धृतभाजनाः: those holding the vessels/plates
• धृतभाजनाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धृत (धृ-धातु, कृदन्त) + भाजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: धृत-भाजन (held vessels/plates); ‘धृत’ = क्त (past participle)

• यदि: if
• यदि: सम्बन्ध (Conditional)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; शर्तसूचक conjunction (if)

• पात्रम्: vessel; plate
• पात्रम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• त्यजेत्: should abandon/leave
• त्यजेत्: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: त्यज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• कः: someone/anyone (who)
• कः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• अपि: even; any
• अपि: सम्बन्ध (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (indefiniteness with कः)

• ब्राह्मणः: a Brahmin
• ब्राह्मणः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• श्राद्धयोजितः: engaged/appointed for the śrāddha
• श्राद्धयोजितः: विशेषण (Adjective of ब्राह्मणः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्राद्ध + योजित (युज्-धातु, क्त कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: श्राद्धे योजितः (appointed/engaged in śrāddha); क्त (past passive participle)

Speaker

Narada (teaching Śrāddha-dharma in dialogue context with Sanatkumāra tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Śrāddha (paitṛka rite)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇa
• Śrāddha

FAQs

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

It emphasizes purity of conduct in Pitṛ-kārya: invited Brāhmaṇas should be composed, restrained in speech, and respectful toward the offerings, because Śrāddha is a sacred act meant to benefit the ancestors through disciplined ritual behavior.

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

Though centered on ritual, it reflects bhakti through reverence and humility—treating the offerings as sacred and maintaining self-control becomes an act of devotion expressed as disciplined service (seva) within dharma.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is primary: it outlines correct Śrāddha conduct—silence/controlled speech, handling of vessels, and prescribed etiquette for officiating participants.