Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21

Gṛhastha-praveśa: Vivāha-bheda, Ācāra-śauca, Śrāddha-kāla, and Vaiṣṇava-lakṣaṇa

Devanagari script

उष्णीषममलं छत्रं पादुके चाप्युपानहौ । धारयेत्पुष्पमाल्ये च सुगंधं प्रियदर्शनः ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

uṣṇīṣamamalaṃ chatraṃ pāduke cāpyupānahau | dhārayetpuṣpamālye ca sugaṃdhaṃ priyadarśanaḥ || 21 ||

Translation

容仪可亲的奉献者，应戴无垢头巾并持伞盖；亦当穿凉鞋与鞋履，佩戴花鬘，并熏以怡人的香气。

Word by Word

• उष्णीषम्: turban/head-wrap
• उष्णीषम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उष्णीष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अमलम्: clean/spotless
• अमलम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उष्णीषम् इति विशेषणम्

• छत्रम्: umbrella
• छत्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पादुके: sandals (pair)
• पादुके: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पादुका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थ-अव्यय (also)

• उपानहौ: shoes (pair)
• उपानहौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपानह्/उपानत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन (वैकल्पिक-रूप: उपानहौ)

• धारयेत्: should wear/carry
• धारयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• पुष्प-माल्ये: flower garlands (two)
• पुष्प-माल्ये: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्प + माल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पुष्पाणां माल्ये)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• सुगन्धम्: fragrant perfume
• सुगन्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुगन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (गन्ध-विशेषणम्)

• प्रिय-दर्शनः: of pleasing appearance
• प्रिय-दर्शनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रिय + दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (यस्य दर्शनं प्रियम्)

Speaker

Sanatkumāra (in instruction to Nārada, within āchāra/vrata guidance)

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 śauca (purity) and sadācāra (refined conduct): maintaining cleanliness and dignified appearance is presented as an outward support for inner discipline and devotional reverence.

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

Bhakti is expressed not only through prayer but also through respectful, pure living—wearing clean clothing, garlands, and fragrance as offerings of one’s person and presence in a devotional life.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

While not a technical Vedāṅga lesson, it reflects Kalpa-style ritual decorum (ācāra) and śauca principles—practical rules of conduct that support worship and vrata observance.