Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 95

Mokṣopāya: Bhakti-rooted Jñāna and the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Viṣṇu-Meditation

Devanagari script

विधाय ह्यक्षरश्रेण्यां तत्तदर्थविचारणम् । स जपोमानसः प्रोक्तो योगसिद्धिप्रदायकः ॥ ९५ ॥

Transliteration

vidhāya hyakṣaraśreṇyāṃ tattadarthavicāraṇam | sa japomānasaḥ prokto yogasiddhipradāyakaḥ || 95 ||

Translation

Wenn man die Folge der Silben des Mantras ordnet und über die Bedeutung jeder einzelnen nachsinnt, wird dies als mentales Japa (mānasa-japa) bezeichnet; man sagt, es verleihe yogische Siddhis (Vollkommenheiten).

Word by Word

• विधाय: having arranged/placing
• विधाय: क्रियाविशेषण (पूर्वक्रिया/Adverbial gerund)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वि + धा (धातु) → विधाय (कृदन्त, ल्यप्/क्त्वान्त-अव्यय)
• Form: क्त्वान्त/ल्यपन्त अव्यय (absolutive/gerund); पूर्वकाल (having arranged/done)

• हि: indeed
• हि: सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (indeed/for)

• अक्षर-श्रेण्याम्: in the sequence of syllables
• अक्षर-श्रेण्याम्: अधिकरण (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्षर (प्रातिपदिक) + श्रेणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (अक्षराणां श्रेणी); अधिकरण (in the series of syllables)

• तत्-तत्-अर्थ-विचारणम्: reflection on each respective meaning
• तत्-तत्-अर्थ-विचारणम्: कर्ता (प्रथमा/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + विचारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (तस्य तस्य अर्थस्य विचारणम्)

• सः: that (japa)
• सः: कर्ता (प्रथमा/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• जपः: japa
• जपः: कर्ता (प्रथमा/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मानसः: mental
• मानसः: विशेषण (of जपः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मानस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणं जपस्य (mental)

• प्रोक्तः: is declared
• प्रोक्तः: विधेय (Predicate/Predicative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु) → प्रोक्त (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण

• योग-सिद्धि-प्रदायकः: bestowing yogic attainments
• योग-सिद्धि-प्रदायकः: विशेषण (of जपः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक) + सिद्धि (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रदायक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (योगस्य सिद्धिः; तस्याः प्रदायकः)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the dialogue on spiritual disciplines)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It defines mānasa-japa as mantra repetition performed inwardly with attentive sequencing of syllables and contemplation of meaning, presenting it as a refined practice that leads to yogic accomplishment.

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

By insisting on artha-vicāra (reflection on meaning), it turns japa from mere sound into conscious remembrance—supporting steady, inward devotion and focused awareness of the deity addressed by the mantra.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It implicitly draws on Śikṣā (proper handling of akṣaras/syllables) and Vyākaraṇa/Nirukta-style attention to meaning, emphasizing correct structure and understanding in mantra practice.