Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56

Gaṇeśa Mantra-vidhi: Mahāgaṇapati Gāyatrī, Vakratuṇḍa Mantra, Nyāsa, Homa, Āvaraṇa-pūjā, and Caturthī Vrata

Devanagari script

गणिशप्रतिमां दंतिदंतेन कपिनापि वा । गजभग्रेन निंबेन सितार्केंणाथवा पुनः ॥ ५६ ॥

Transliteration

gaṇiśapratimāṃ daṃtidaṃtena kapināpi vā | gajabhagrena niṃbena sitārkeṃṇāthavā punaḥ || 56 ||

Translation

甘尼沙（Gaṇeśa）之像，可用象牙制成，或甚至由猴所作；亦可取自大象折断之残片；又可用楝树（neem）之木，或以淡白色的日石再造。

Word by Word

• गणेश-प्रतिमाम्: an image of Gaṇeśa
• गणेश-प्रतिमाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गणेश (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रतिमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी: गणेशस्य प्रतिमा); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• दन्ति-दन्तेन: with an elephant’s tusk
• दन्ति-दन्तेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दन्तिन् (प्रातिपदिक) + दन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी: दन्तिनः दन्तः); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• कपिना: with (wood of) a monkey? / by a monkey (instrumental)
• कपिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/विकल्पानुग्राहक (also/even)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक निपात (or)

• गज-भग्रेण: with a broken piece (of an elephant)
• गज-भग्रेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गज (प्रातिपदिक) + भग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी: गजस्य भग्रः = broken piece of an elephant); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• निम्बेन: with neem (wood)
• निम्बेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निम्ब (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• सित-अर्केण: with white arka (Calotropis)
• सित-अर्केण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सित (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (सितः अर्कः); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• अथवा: or else
• अथवा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथवा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (or else)

• पुनः: again/further
• पुनः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरुक्ति/क्रमवाचक (again/further)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Gaṇeśa

FAQs

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

It emphasizes ritual adaptability (upāya): sincere worship can proceed even when ideal materials are unavailable, by using permitted substitutes for creating a Gaṇeśa pratimā.

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

Bhakti is supported through practical means—by enabling devotees to establish an icon for worship with accessible materials, the text protects continuity of devotion rather than making it dependent on rare resources.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied ritual science—selection of acceptable materials for icons (pratimā-dravya) and procedural flexibility typical of technical sections associated with kalpa-style observance.