Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

जिह्वोल्लेखो वाग्भवेन मूलेन क्षालयेन्मुखम् । देवागारं ततो गत्वा निर्माल्यमपसार्य च ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

jihvollekho vāgbhavena mūlena kṣālayenmukham | devāgāraṃ tato gatvā nirmālyamapasārya ca || 11 ||

Translation

நாவைச் சுத்தம் செய்து வாக்பவ மூலமந்திரத்தால் வாயை கழுவ வேண்டும்; பின்னர் தேவாலயத்திற்குச் சென்று பழைய நிர்மால்யம் (வாடிய மலர்கள் முதலியவை) அகற்ற வேண்டும்।

Word by Word

• jihvā-ullekhaḥ: tongue-scraping
• jihvā-ullekhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jihvā + ullekha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); ‘scraping of the tongue’

• vāgbhavena: with (the mantra) Vāgbhava
• vāgbhavena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāgbhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); mantra-name ‘Vāgbhava’

• mūlena: with the root (mantra)
• mūlena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); ‘with the root (mantra)’

• kṣālayet: should wash
• kṣālayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṣāl (धातु; causative)
• Form: Causative (णिजन्त) of √kṣāl ‘to wash’; Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada

• mukham: mouth
• mukham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• deva-āgāram: the temple
• deva-āgāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva + āgāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); ‘temple/house of the deity’

• tataḥ: then/from there
• tataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable adverb (अव्यय)

• gatvā: having gone
• gatvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), from √gam; ‘having gone’

• nirmālyam: withered offerings
• nirmālyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nirmālya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); ‘withered offerings/used flowers’

• apasārya: having removed
• apasārya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: apa + sṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), from √sṛ with upasarga apa-; ‘having removed’

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

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vāgbhava

FAQs

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

It links inner and outer purity—clean speech-organs (tongue/mouth) and a clean shrine—so worship begins from disciplined shaucha and reverence for the deity’s space.

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

Bhakti is expressed through careful service (seva): preparing oneself with mantra-purification and respectfully maintaining the deity’s altar by clearing old offerings before fresh worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied ritual discipline (kalpa-style procedure) and mantra-prayoga—using a mūla-mantra/seed-mantra as part of preparatory purification before puja.