Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

पादेन नाक्रमेत्पादमुच्छिष्टं नैव लंघयेत् । न संहताभ्यां हस्ताभ्यां कंडूयेदात्मनः शिरः ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

pādena nākrametpādamucchiṣṭaṃ naiva laṃghayet | na saṃhatābhyāṃ hastābhyāṃ kaṃḍūyedātmanaḥ śiraḥ || 23 ||

Translation

不可用自己的脚踩踏他人的脚，也不可跨越不净之余物（ucchiṣṭa）。亦不可双手并合而抓挠自己的头。

Word by Word

• पादेन: with the foot
• पादेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• आक्रमेत्: should step on
• आक्रमेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + क्रम् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• पादम्: (another) foot
• पादम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उच्छिष्टम्: leftover/impure remnants
• उच्छिष्टम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उच्छिष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• एव: at all
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय

• लङ्घयेत्: should step over/cross
• लङ्घयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लङ्घ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• संहताभ्याम्: with (hands) joined together
• संहताभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संहत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘सम्+हन्’ = joined/together; हस्ताभ्याम् इति विशेषणम्

• हस्ताभ्याम्: with the two hands
• हस्ताभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), द्विवचन

• कण्डूयेत्: should scratch
• कण्डूयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कण्डू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• आत्मनः: of oneself
• आत्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• शिरः: head
• शिरः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It teaches śauca (purity) and vinaya (humility) through small bodily disciplines—avoiding disrespectful contact and avoiding impurity—so the mind becomes fit for japa, pūjā, and dharmic living.

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

Bhakti is supported by clean habits and reverent comportment; by avoiding ucchiṣṭa-impurity and careless behavior, a devotee preserves inner sattva, which stabilizes remembrance of the Lord during worship and daily life.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Śikṣā and Kalpa concerns—bodily discipline, cleanliness, and ritual propriety—showing how correct conduct supports proper performance of rites and recitation.