Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 189

The Description of the Skanda Purāṇa’s Anukramaṇī

Index/Summary

Devanagari script

सुपर्णैलाख्यभैरव्योर्भल्लतीर्थभवा कथा । कीर्तनं कर्दमालस्य गुप्तसोमेश्वस्य च ॥ १८९ ॥

Transliteration

suparṇailākhyabhairavyorbhallatīrthabhavā kathā | kīrtanaṃ kardamālasya guptasomeśvasya ca || 189 ||

Translation

Ferner gibt es den Bericht über die Bhairavīs namens Suparṇā und Elā, die Erzählung, die in Bhallatīrtha ihren Ursprung hat, sowie die lobpreisende Erwähnung von Kardamāla und auch des verborgenen (Heiligtums) Someśvara.

Word by Word

• सुपर्णैला-आख्य-भैरव्योः: of the two Bhairavīs named Suparṇailā
• सुपर्णैला-आख्य-भैरव्योः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुपर्णैला + आख्य + भैरवी (प्रातिपदिक; समासाङ्गानि)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन (Dual); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (सुपर्णैला-आख्ये भैरव्यौ)

• भल्ल-तीर्थ-भवा: originating from Bhallatīrtha
• भल्ल-तीर्थ-भवा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भल्ल + तीर्थ + भव (प्रातिपदिक; ‘भवा’ = भव-प्रत्ययान्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (भल्लतीर्थात् भवति/जायते)

• कथा: the account
• कथा: Karta (कर्ता/विषयः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कथा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• कीर्तनम्: the narration/praise
• कीर्तनम्: Karta (कर्ता/विषयः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कीर्तन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• कर्दमालस्य: of Kardamāla
• कर्दमालस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्दमाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन (Singular)

• गुप्त-सोमेश्वरस्य: of Guptasomeśvara
• गुप्त-सोमेश्वरस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुप्त + सोमेश्वर (प्रातिपदिक; समासाङ्गानि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—कर्मधारयः (गुप्तः सोमेश्वरः)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Anukramanika-style contents as received in the Narada Purana tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Suparṇā
• Elā
• Bhairavī
• Bhallatīrtha
• Kardamāla
• Someśvara (Śiva)

FAQs

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

It functions as a catalogue entry: it highlights that the text contains tīrtha-kathās (pilgrimage narratives) and the glorification of specific sacred sites and deities, indicating the Purāṇa’s role in guiding dharma through sacred geography and remembrance (kīrtana).

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

Bhakti is implied through “kīrtana” (reverent mention/recital): devotion is cultivated by hearing and reciting the mahatmya of tīrthas and the names of deities (here, Śakti forms and Someśvara), which is a common Purāṇic method of sustaining smṛti and श्रद्धा (faith).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; rather, it reflects the Purāṇic anukramaṇikā method—structured enumeration and topic-indexing useful for traditional recitation, navigation, and ritual planning around tīrthas.