Shloka 40

Honoring the Mother (Mātṛpūjanam): Consent, Equity, and Dana to Restore Household Dharma

Devanagari script

कुंभायुतं सर्पिषस्तु तैलस्य च पृथग्ददौ । अजाविकमसंख्यातमेकैकस्यै न्यवेदयत् ॥ ४० ॥

Transliteration

kuṃbhāyutaṃ sarpiṣastu tailasya ca pṛthagdadau | ajāvikamasaṃkhyātamekaikasyai nyavedayat || 40 ||

Translation

ସେ ଘିଅର ଏକ ହଜାର କୁମ୍ଭ ଏବଂ ପୃଥକ୍ ଭାବେ ତେଲର ମଧ୍ୟ ଏକ ହଜାର କୁମ୍ଭ ଦାନ କଲା; ଏବଂ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକଙ୍କୁ ଅସଂଖ୍ୟ ଛେଳି ଓ ଭେଡ଼ା ନିର୍ଦ୍ଧାରିତ କଲା।

Word by Word

• kuṃbha-āyutam: ten thousand jars (a myriad of jars)
• kuṃbha-āyutam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuṃbha (प्रातिपदिक) + āyuta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (कुम्भानाम् आयुतम्)

• sarpiṣaḥ: of ghee
• sarpiṣaḥ: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarpiṣ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th/षष्ठी), Ekavacana

• tu: and/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta; emphasis/contrast (निपात)

• tailasya: of oil
• tailasya: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: taila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th/षष्ठी), Ekavacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• pṛthak: separately
• pṛthak: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pṛthak (अव्यय)
• Form: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa; adverb (क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय)

• dadau: gave
• dadau: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (दा धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (Perfect/परोक्षभूत), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• ajāvikaम्: goats and sheep (small cattle)
• ajāvikaम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ajāvika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana

• asaṃkhyātam: countless
• asaṃkhyātam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-saṃkhyāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; नञ्-समास/निषेध (un-counted) qualifying ajāvikaम्

• eka-ekasyai: to each one (to each recipient)
• eka-ekasyai: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक) + eka (प्रातिपदिक) + (tad-arthī)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Caturthī (4th/चतुर्थी), Ekavacana; distributive sense ‘to each one’ (प्रत्येक)

• nyavedayat: announced / assigned
• nyavedayat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-√vid (विद् धातु, ‘to inform/announce’)
• Form: Laṅ-lakāra (Imperfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; parasmaipada

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada, narrating merits of dana in a tirtha/mahatmya setting)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

The verse highlights dāna (sacred giving) as a concrete expression of dharma: abundant gifts of essentials (ghee, oil, livestock) generate puṇya, especially when performed in a tirtha-mahātmyā context.

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

While not explicitly naming bhakti, it supports devotional life by emphasizing selfless offering and service—acts that purify intention and sustain yajña, worship, and hospitality, which are common supports for Viṣṇu-bhakti in Purāṇic practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual practicality is implied: ghee and oil are standard ritual commodities (yajña, dīpa, homa), and the verse reflects dharma-śāstric dana-vidhi—how offerings are quantified (kuṃbha counts) and distributed (ekaikasyai).