Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 91

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

Devanagari script

अलंकृतं पुष्पमाल्यैर्वितानघ्वजराजितान् । छादितं शुक्लवस्त्रेण दीपमालाविभूषितम् ॥ ९१ ॥

Transliteration

alaṃkṛtaṃ puṣpamālyairvitānaghvajarājitān | chāditaṃ śuklavastreṇa dīpamālāvibhūṣitam || 91 ||

Translation

那亭中以花鬘庄饰，以华盖与飘扬旌幡增其光彩；又以白布垂覆，并以一列列灯盏点缀辉映。

Word by Word

• alaṃkṛtam: decorated
• alaṃkṛtam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: alaṃkṛta (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from alaṃ-kṛ)
• Form: Kta-participle (क्त), Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन); qualifies 'maṇḍapam' (from previous verse)

• puṣpa-mālyaiḥ: with flower garlands
• puṣpa-mālyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक) + mālya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); instrument: 'with flower-garlands'

• vitāna-dhvaja-rājitam: made splendid with canopies and banners
• vitāna-dhvaja-rājitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vitāna (प्रातिपदिक) + dhvaja (प्रातिपदिक) + rājita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Kta-participle (क्त), Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'vitānaiḥ dhvajaiś ca rājitam'

• chāditam: covered
• chāditam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: chādita (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from chād)
• Form: Kta-participle (क्त), Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन); qualifies 'maṇḍapam'

• śukla-vastreṇa: with white cloth
• śukla-vastreṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śukla (प्रातिपदिक) + vastra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन); instrument: 'with a white cloth'

• dīpa-mālā-vibhūṣitam: adorned with rows of lamps
• dīpa-mālā-vibhūṣitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīpa (प्रातिपदिक) + mālā (प्रातिपदिक) + vibhūṣita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Kta-participle (क्त), Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'dīpa-mālayā vibhūṣitam'

Speaker

Narada (describing ritual/worship arrangements in the narrative context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that outward order, purity, and beauty in the worship space—flowers, white cloth, flags, and lamps—support inward devotion by creating a sattvic atmosphere conducive to remembrance and reverence.

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

Bhakti is expressed not only through emotion and prayer but also through careful seva (service) in preparing the sacred space—adorning it with auspicious items that honor the deity and focus the mind.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure and sacred-space arrangement (kalpa/ācāra-oriented practice) is implied: cleanliness, auspicious color symbolism (white for purity), and lamp-lighting as a standard upacāra in pūjā.