Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 173

Hanūmaccarita

The Account of Hanumān

Devanagari script

महेशादिषु सर्वेषु भुक्तवत्सु महात्मसु । प्रक्षालितांघ्रिहस्तेषु गंधोद्वर्तितपाणिषु ॥ १७३ ॥

Transliteration

maheśādiṣu sarveṣu bhuktavatsu mahātmasu | prakṣālitāṃghrihasteṣu gaṃdhodvartitapāṇiṣu || 173 ||

Translation

மகேசன் முதலிய எல்லா மகாத்மாக்களும் உணவு முடித்து, பாதங்களும் கைகளும் கழுவப்பட்டு, மணமுள்ள உப்தனத்தால் கைகள் தடவப்பட்டபோது—

Word by Word

• महेश-आदिषु: among Maheśa and others
• महेश-आदिषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेश (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; ‘महेशः आदिः येषाम्’ (ādi-samāsa/तत्पुरुष)

• सर्वेषु: in all
• सर्वेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• भुक्तवत्सु: who had eaten
• भुक्तवत्सु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भुक्तवत् (कृदन्त, √भुज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; क्तवत्-प्रत्ययान्त (past active participle)

• महात्मसु: in the great-souled ones
• महात्मसु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• प्रक्षालित-अङ्घ्रि-हस्तेषु: whose feet and hands were washed
• प्रक्षालित-अङ्घ्रि-हस्तेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रक्षालित (कृदन्त, √क्षल् with प्र) + अङ्घ्रि (प्रातिपदिक) + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; ‘प्रक्षालितौ अङ्घ्री च हस्तौ च येषाम्’ इति (बहुवचन-आश्रय) वर्णनात्मक समास

• गन्ध-उद्वर्तित-पाणिषु: whose hands were anointed/rubbed with fragrance
• गन्ध-उद्वर्तित-पाणिषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्वर्तित (कृदन्त, √वृत् with उद्) + पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; ‘गन्धेन उद्वर्तिताः पाणयः येषाम्’ (instrumental tatpuruṣa)

Speaker

Narrator (Suta-style narrative voice within the Purana; verse describes the assembly’s conduct)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Maheśa (Śiva)

FAQs

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

It highlights śauca (purity) and ācāra (right conduct) as essential supports for dharma—showing that even exalted beings observe disciplined cleanliness and reverent decorum after a meal.

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

Bhakti is sustained by sattvic discipline: respectful, orderly living and purity of habits. The verse models a devotional culture where external cleanliness and dignified conduct harmonize the mind for worship and sacred dialogue.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects kalpa/ācāra-oriented practice—ritual hygiene and post-bhojana procedures (washing feet/hands, applying gandha) that align daily life with śāstric norms used in Vedic and Smārta observances.