Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 189

Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa

The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala

Devanagari script

स्पृष्टशीर्षो जपेद्विद्यां शतवारं तथार्चयेत् । प्रसूनैररुणैः शुभ्रैः सौरभाढ्यैरथापि वा ॥ १८९ ॥

Transliteration

spṛṣṭaśīrṣo japedvidyāṃ śatavāraṃ tathārcayet | prasūnairaruṇaiḥ śubhraiḥ saurabhāḍhyairathāpi vā || 189 ||

Translation

以头顶恭敬触及圣座或神像者，当诵持圣明咒（vidyā）一百遍；并同样行供养，以红花或白花，或以任何芬芳馥郁之花奉献。

Word by Word

• स्पृष्ट-शीर्षः: one whose head has been touched
• स्पृष्ट-शीर्षः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्पृष्ट (कृदन्त, √स्पृश्) + शीर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—“स्पृष्टं शीर्षं यस्य सः” (having the head touched)

• जपेत्: should recite
• जपेत्: Kriya (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √जप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• विद्याम्: the mantra/vidyā
• विद्याम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• शत-वारम्: a hundred times
• शत-वारम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शत (प्रातिपदिक) + वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमास; क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial) — “शतं वारं” = hundred times

• तथा: and likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• अर्चयेत्: should worship
• अर्चयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• प्रसूनैः: with flowers
• प्रसूनैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रसून (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• अरुणैः: reddish
• अरुणैः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अरुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; विशेषणं प्रसूनैः

• शुभ्रैः: white/bright
• शुभ्रैः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; विशेषणं प्रसूनैः

• सौरभ-आढ्यैः: rich in fragrance
• सौरभ-आढ्यैः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सौरभ (प्रातिपदिक) + आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—“सौरभेण आढ्य” (rich in fragrance); विशेषणं प्रसूनैः

• अथ: then/also
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/समुच्चयार्थक (then/also)

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

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (disjunctive particle)

Speaker

Narada (instructional discourse within the Vedāṅga/ritual-vidyā context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It emphasizes humility and precision in sādhana: reverent bowing/touching the head, disciplined japa (100 repetitions), and offering pure, fragrant flowers—showing that inner devotion is supported by orderly ritual conduct.

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

Bhakti is expressed through tangible acts—prostration-like reverence, steady mantra repetition, and tasteful offerings—indicating that devotion is both heartfelt and enacted through pūjā and japa.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects ritual-technical instruction (prayoga/vidhi): prescribed japa count, worship sequence, and selection of offerings—typical of Vedāṅga-aligned procedural guidance used to standardize rites.