Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 42

Dīpa-vidhi-vyākhyānam

Procedure for Lamp-Offering to Hanumān

Devanagari script

दक्षिणाभिमुखं वीरं कृत्वा केसरिविक्रमम् ॥ ४२ ॥

Transliteration

dakṣiṇābhimukhaṃ vīraṃ kṛtvā kesarivikramam || 42 ||

Translation

వీరుణ్ని దక్షిణాభిముఖుడిగా చేసి, కేశరి వలె విక్రమశాలిగా తీర్చిదిద్దారు॥४२॥

Word by Word

• दक्षिण-अभिमुखम्: facing south
• दक्षिण-अभिमुखम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्षिण + अभिमुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (दक्षिणं अभिमुखः)

• वीरम्: the hero
• वीरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• कृत्वा: having made
• कृत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive/gerund), अर्थः—‘having made/after making’

• केसरी-विक्रमम्: of lion-like valor
• केसरी-विक्रमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: केसरी + विक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (केसरी इव विक्रमः यस्य)

Speaker

Narada (narration within the dialogue tradition attributed to Narada–Sanatkumara)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It highlights the ritual importance of orientation (facing south) as a deliberate, meaning-bearing setup that empowers the intended subject with protective, forceful potency symbolized as “lion-like valor.”

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

Though not explicitly devotional, it supports bhakti practice indirectly by showing that disciplined, correct procedure (vidhi)—including directional arrangement—can be part of maintaining sacred order while undertaking worship or protective rites.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual-technical knowledge about orientation and arrangement—an applied, procedural element aligned with Vedanga-style instruction (practical rules used to execute rites correctly).