Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 99

Mantra-Māhātmya and Sādhana of Kārtavīryārjuna

Nyāsa, Yantra, Homa, and Dīpa-Vrata

Devanagari script

दीपज्वाला समा सिद्ध्यै वक्रा निशविधायिनी । शब्दा भयदा कर्तुरुज्ज्वला सुखदा मता ॥ ९९ ॥

Transliteration

dīpajvālā samā siddhyai vakrā niśavidhāyinī | śabdā bhayadā karturujjvalā sukhadā matā || 99 ||

Translation

إذا كانت شعلة السراج مستويةً ثابتةً أدّت إلى النجاح. أمّا إذا انحنت أو تمايلت فهي نذير شؤم. والشعلة التي تُحدِث فرقعةً أو صوتًا تجلب الخوف للقائم بالعمل، وأمّا الشعلة المتألّقة المضيئة فتُعدّ مانحةً للسرور.

Word by Word

• दीपज्वाला: the lamp-flame
• दीपज्वाला: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्वाला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; तत्पुरुष ‘lamp-flame’

• समा: even/steady
• समा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative Singular; agrees with दीपज्वाला

• सिद्ध्यै: for success/accomplishment
• सिद्ध्यै: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Recipient-Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• वक्रा: crooked/curved
• वक्रा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative Singular; agrees with दीपज्वाला

• निशविधायिनी: bringing night/darkness
• निशविधायिनी: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निशा (प्रातिपदिक) + विधायिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative Singular; तत्पुरुष ‘causing night/darkness’ (as transmitted: निश- = निशा)

• शब्दा: sound/noise
• शब्दा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular/Plural form; here used as Nominative Singular feminine? (as transmitted); taken as Nominative Singular/Plural ‘sound(s)’

• भयदा: fear-giving
• भयदा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक) + द (प्रातिपदिक from दा धातु)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative Singular; तत्पुरुष ‘giving fear’

• कर्तुः: of the doer/performer
• कर्तुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• उज्ज्वला: bright
• उज्ज्वला: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उज्ज्वल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative Singular; predicate/qualifier

• सुखदा: happiness-giving
• सुखदा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक) + द (प्रातिपदिक from दा धातु)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative Singular; तत्पुरुष ‘giving happiness’

• मता: is considered
• मता: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मन् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/PPP) from √मन् ‘to think/consider’; Feminine, Nominative Singular; ‘considered’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Vedanga/technical-omens context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It teaches nimitta (omen) reading during worship: steadiness and brightness in the lamp signify harmony and successful completion, while wavering or noisy flame indicates inner/outer disturbance that can obstruct the rite.

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

Bhakti is supported by attentive, orderly worship; the lamp’s behavior is presented as a practical sign to refine one’s focus, remove fear, and proceed with devotion in an auspicious manner.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied ritual-knowledge (prayoga) and nimitta interpretation used alongside Vedic practice—observing the dīpa (lamp) during pūjā/yajña to judge auspiciousness and adjust conduct or timing.