Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 89

Dvādaśī-vrata: Month-by-month Viṣṇu Worship and the Year-End Udyāpana

Devanagari script

स्नात्वा प्रातर्यथाचारं दन्तधावनपूर्वकम् । शुक्लमाल्याम्बरधरः शुक्लगन्धानुलेपनः ॥ ८९ ॥

Transliteration

snātvā prātaryathācāraṃ dantadhāvanapūrvakam | śuklamālyāmbaradharaḥ śuklagandhānulepanaḥ || 89 ||

Translation

清晨依仪轨沐浴，先净齿漱口；随后佩戴白色花鬘，身着白衣，并以洁净的白香涂身。

Word by Word

• snātvā: having bathed
• snātvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: snā (स्ना धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), avyaya; pūrvakāla-kriyā

• prātaḥ: in the morning
• prātaḥ: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prātaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Kāla-avyaya (काल-अव्यय, adverb of time)

• yathā-ācāram: as per proper practice
• yathā-ācāram: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + ācāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva-samāsa (अव्ययीभाव), avyaya; sense: 'according to custom'

• danta-dhāvana-pūrvakam: with tooth-cleaning as a preliminary
• danta-dhāvana-pūrvakam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: danta (प्रातिपदिक) + dhāvana (प्रातिपदिक) + pūrvaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva (अव्ययीभाव) used adverbially; Napumsaka-ākāra form functioning as avyaya: 'with ... as a preliminary'

• śukla-mālya-ambara-dharaḥ: one wearing white garlands and garments
• śukla-mālya-ambara-dharaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śukla (प्रातिपदिक) + mālya (प्रातिपदिक) + ambara (प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana (एकवचन); bahuvrīhi: 'yasya ... saḥ'

• śukla-gandha-anulepanaḥ: one anointed with white fragrance/paste
• śukla-gandha-anulepanaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śukla (प्रातिपदिक) + gandha (प्रातिपदिक) + anulepana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana (एकवचन); bahuvrīhi: 'yasya śukla-gandhena anulepanam saḥ'

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada on dharma and morning observances)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It teaches that worship and spiritual practice should begin with śauca (purity): bodily cleansing, orderly conduct (ācāra), and sāttvika preparation, which steadies the mind and makes it fit for mantra and devotion.

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

By prescribing clean, simple, and sattvika attire and fragrance, the verse frames bhakti as reverent preparation—honoring the deity through purity, restraint, and a worship-ready disposition.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa (ritual procedure) through the sequencing of daily rites—dantadhavana, snāna, and preparatory dress—showing how correct ācāra supports effective worship.