Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

Kalpa-Lakṣaṇa and Gṛhya-Kalpa: Classifications, Purifications, Implements, and Spatial Rite-Design

Devanagari script

स्रुवेण च कुशेनापि कुर्यादुल्लेखनं भुवः । अस्थिकण्टकसिर्द्ध्य्थं ब्रह्मणा परिभाषितम् ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

sruveṇa ca kuśenāpi kuryādullekhanaṃ bhuvaḥ | asthikaṇṭakasirddhythaṃ brahmaṇā paribhāṣitam || 18 ||

Translation

以酌勺（sruva）或甚至一叶库沙草，轻轻划记于地；此法为梵天（Brahmā）所宣示，用以妥善处理并除去如骨与刺般之不净。

Word by Word

• स्रुवेण: with a ladle
• स्रुवेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्रुव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; करण

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

• कुशेन: with kuśa-grass
• कुशेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; करण

• अपि: also
• अपि: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपि-कारक अव्यय (also/even)

• कुर्यात्: should do/make
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• उल्लेखनम्: scraping/marking
• उल्लेखनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उल्-लिख् (धातु) + ल्युट्/अन (कृदन्त-नाम)
• Form: कृदन्त-नाम (action noun), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘scraping/marking’

• भुवः: of the ground
• भुवः: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू (प्रातिपदिक: भुव्/भू)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; ‘भू’ = earth/ground

• अस्थि: bone
• अस्थि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्थि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रातिपदिक-रूप (समासाङ्ग)

• कण्टक: thorn
• कण्टक: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कण्टक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रातिपदिक-रूप (समासाङ्ग)

• सिद्ध्यर्थम्: for accomplishing
• सिद्ध्यर्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्धि (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः: सिद्ध्यर्थम् = सिद्धेः अर्थम् (for the accomplishment)

• ब्रह्मणा: by Brahmā
• ब्रह्मणा: Karta (कर्तृ—कर्मणि)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; करण/कर्तृ (agent in passive sense)

• परिभाषितम्: has been prescribed/declared
• परिभाषितम्: Kriya (वाक्य-प्रधान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परि-भाष् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भाववाचकं/कर्मणि: ‘it has been prescribed/declared’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada within Moksha-dharma/ritual context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Kusha
• Sruva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes ritual śauca (purity) and precision in śrāddha-related actions: even small, mindful acts—like tracing the earth with sanctioned implements—support dharma and the intended spiritual efficacy of the rite.

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

While primarily ritualistic, it aligns with bhakti through disciplined reverence: careful adherence to Brahmā-sanctioned procedures is presented as a form of respectful service (sevā) to dharma and the sacred order that supports higher spiritual aims.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is foregrounded—specifically the correct use of implements (sruva, kuśa) and prescribed actions (ullekhana) to ensure the rite is performed without defect.