Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 162

Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa

The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala

Devanagari script

विदध्यात्साधनं प्राग्वद्वर्णलक्षं पयोव्रतः । त्रिस्वादुसिक्तैररुणैरंबुजैर्हवनं चरेत् ॥ १६२ ॥

Transliteration

vidadhyātsādhanaṃ prāgvadvarṇalakṣaṃ payovrataḥ | trisvādusiktairaruṇairaṃbujairhavanaṃ caret || 162 ||

Translation

ผู้ถือปโยวรตพึงจัดเตรียมเครื่องประกอบพิธีตามที่กล่าวไว้ก่อน พร้อมเครื่องหมายสีตามกำหนด แล้วประกอบโหมะด้วยดอกบัวแดงที่พรมน้ำหวานสามประการ॥

Word by Word

• विदध्यात्: should arrange/perform
• विदध्यात्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √धा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्; उपसर्ग ‘वि-’

• साधनम्: the means/rite (preparation)
• साधनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्राक्-वत्: as previously
• प्राक्-वत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्राक् (अव्यय) + वत् (तद्धित/अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमासः; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: as before)

• वर्ण-लक्षम्: having (a fixed) number/measure of syllables
• वर्ण-लक्षम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (वर्णस्य लक्षम् = having the mark/number of syllables)

• पयः-व्रतः: one observing a milk-vow
• पयः-व्रतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पयः (प्रातिपदिक) + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पयसो व्रतः)

• त्रि-स्वादु-सिक्तैः: with (lotuses) sprinkled with three sweet substances
• त्रि-स्वादु-सिक्तैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + स्वादु (प्रातिपदिक) + सिक्त (कृदन्त; √सिच् धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘त्रिभिः स्वादुभिः सिक्त’ इत्यर्थे तत्पुरुषः; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त

• अरुणैः: red
• अरुणैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अरुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Instrumental plural)

• अम्बुजैः: with lotuses
• अम्बुजैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अम्बुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Instrumental plural)

• हवनम्: fire-offering (homa)
• हवनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• चरेत्: should perform
• चरेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within the vrata-vidhi section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Payovrata (milk-vow)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara
• Agni

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that a vrata becomes spiritually effective when supported by correct sādhana (requisites) and precise homa-offerings, aligning outer ritual purity with inner discipline.

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

By prescribing reverent, beautiful offerings (red lotuses) and sweet sanctified substances, it trains the devotee to express devotion through careful worship and heartfelt ritual service.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights kalpa-style ritual procedure: preparing prescribed implements, observing color/mark conventions, and performing a specific havana with defined materials—core applied knowledge of Vedic ritual practice.