Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

The Account of the Ekādaśī Vow Observed Throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

स्थापयेत्प्रतिमां विष्णोः शंखचक्रगदांबुजैः । लसच्चतुर्भुजामग्र्यां कांचनीं वाथ राजतीम् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

sthāpayetpratimāṃ viṣṇoḥ śaṃkhacakragadāṃbujaiḥ | lasaccaturbhujāmagryāṃ kāṃcanīṃ vātha rājatīm || 20 ||

Translation

Man soll ein Bildnis des Herrn Viṣṇu aufstellen, der Muschel, Diskus, Keule und Lotos trägt—eine erhabene, strahlende vierarmige Gestalt—aus Gold oder auch aus Silber gefertigt.

Word by Word

• sthāpayet: should install/place
• sthāpayet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sthā (धातु) [णिच् causative: स्थापयति]
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada); अर्थः—स्थापयेत् (should स्थापित)

• pratimām: an image (idol)
• pratimām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pratimā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• viṣṇoḥ: of Viṣṇu
• viṣṇoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• śaṃkha-cakra-gadā-ambujaiḥ: with conch, discus, mace, and lotus
• śaṃkha-cakra-gadā-ambujaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṃkha (प्रातिपदिक) + cakra (प्रातिपदिक) + gadā (प्रातिपदिक) + ambuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter) (collective), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural); समासः—शंखश्च चक्रं च गदा च अम्बुजं च (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व)

• lasat-catur-bhujām: shining, four-armed
• lasat-catur-bhujām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lasat (कृदन्त/वर्तमानकृदन्त from √las) + catur (संख्या) + bhuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—लसन्ती चतुर्भुजा यस्या सा (विशेषणरूपेण; चतुर्भुजा = चतुर्+भुज (द्विगु/तत्पुरुषभावः))

• agryām: excellent
• agryām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: agrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषणम्—प्रतिमायाः

• kāṃcanīm: golden
• kāṃcanīm: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāṃcanī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषणम्—प्रतिमायाः

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• atha: then/also
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable), अनन्तरार्थक/प्रस्तावक (then/also)

• rājatīm: silver (made of silver)
• rājatīm: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rājatī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषणम्—प्रतिमायाः

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the dialogue context of Book 1.4)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Ekādaśī (Āṣāḍha śukla) context

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that devotion is anchored in a proper sacred form (pratimā) of Viṣṇu—installed with His defining emblems—so worship is directed to the Lord’s complete, auspicious identity rather than a vague idea.

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

Bhakti is expressed through reverent, rule-based worship: installing a radiant four-armed Viṣṇu with śaṅkha, cakra, gadā, and padma creates a focused devotional relationship and supports steady daily pūjā.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure (kalpa/ācāra) is implied: iconography standards and material suitability (gold/silver) are part of disciplined temple/home worship practice aligned with śāstric injunctions.