Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 28

Matsya-purāṇa Anukramaṇikā

Synopsis / Table of Contents

Devanagari script

प्रतिमालक्षणं तद्वद्देवतायतनं तथा । प्रासादलक्षणं तद्वन्मंडपान च लक्षणम् ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

pratimālakṣaṇaṃ tadvaddevatāyatanaṃ tathā | prāsādalakṣaṇaṃ tadvanmaṃḍapāna ca lakṣaṇam || 28 ||

Translation

Ebenso lehrt es die Kennzeichen der heiligen Bildgestalten (pratimā) und der Heiligtümer der Gottheiten; gleicherweise legt es die Merkmale des Hauptschreins (prāsāda) wie auch die Kennzeichen der Tempelhallen (maṇḍapa) dar.

Word by Word

• प्रतिमा-लक्षणम्: the characteristics of an image (icon)
• प्रतिमा-लक्षणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिमा (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2 विभक्ति), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (प्रतिमायाः लक्षणम्)

• तद्वत्: likewise
• तद्वत्: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद्वत् (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभूत)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb: 'likewise/in the same way')

• देवता-आयतनम्: the shrine/temple of a deity
• देवता-आयतनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवता (प्रातिपदिक) + आयतन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (देवतायाः आयतनम्)

• तथा: also; similarly
• तथा: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/प्रकारवाचक (also/so/and likewise)

• प्रासाद-लक्षणम्: the characteristics of a palace/temple-building
• प्रासाद-लक्षणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रासाद (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (प्रासादस्य लक्षणम्)

• तद्वत्: likewise
• तद्वत्: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद्वत् (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभूत)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (likewise)

• मण्डपानाम्: of halls/pavilions
• मण्डपानाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मण्डप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6 विभक्ति), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction 'and')

• लक्षणम्: characteristic(s)
• लक्षणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It frames temple-building and icon-making as dhārmic disciplines: correct forms of the icon, shrine, and halls support proper worship and preserve sacred order in ritual life.

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

By emphasizing proper deity-icons and temple spaces, it points to bhakti expressed through structured worship—devotion embodied in consecrated forms and well-defined ritual settings.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Practical śāstric know-how related to śilpa/vāstu (iconography and architecture): defining marks (lakṣaṇa) for images, sanctuaries, prāsādas, and maṇḍapas used in ritual practice.