Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 108

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

दीर्घमुख्या भारभूतिस्तिथीशो गोमुखीयुतः । स्थावरेशो दीर्घजिह्वायुग्धरः कुडोदरीयुतः ॥ १०८ ॥

Transliteration

dīrghamukhyā bhārabhūtistithīśo gomukhīyutaḥ | sthāvareśo dīrghajihvāyugdharaḥ kuḍodarīyutaḥ || 108 ||

Translation

Es gibt Gestalten/Wesen mit langen Gesichtern; einen namens Bhārabhūti; einen namens Tithīśa mit kuhähnlichem Antlitz; einen als Herrn der Unbeweglichen (sthāvara); einen mit langer Zunge; einen, der das Joch trägt; und einen mit bauchigem, topfartigem Leib.

Word by Word

• दीर्घमुख्या: long-faced / having a long mouth
• दीर्घमुख्या: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीर्घ-मुख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; nominative singular; कर्मधारय (दीर्घा मुख्या/मुखी)

• भारभूतिः: Bhārabhūti (name/epithet)
• भारभूतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भार-भूति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन; nominative singular; कर्मधारय (भाररूपा भूति:)

• तिथीशः: lord of lunar days (tithis)
• तिथीशः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिथि-ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन; nominative singular; तत्पुरुष (तिथीनाम् ईशः)

• गोमुखीयुतः: endowed with a cow-like face
• गोमुखीयुतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गोमुखी-युक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; nominative singular; तृतीया-तत्पुरुष (गोमुख्या युक्तः)

• स्थावरेशः: lord of immovables
• स्थावरेशः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थावर-ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन; nominative singular; तत्पुरुष (स्थावराणाम् ईशः)

• दीर्घजिह्वायुग्धरः: bearing a yoke/pair; long-tongued (complex epithet)
• दीर्घजिह्वायुग्धरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीर्घ-जिह्वा + युग-धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; nominative singular; बहुव्रीहि: ‘who bears a yoke (or pair) with a long tongue’ (दीर्घजिह्वा + युगं धरति)

• कुडोदरीयुतः: endowed with a pot-belly
• कुडोदरीयुतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुड-उदरि-युक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; nominative singular; तृतीया-तत्पुरुष (कुडोदर्या युक्तः)

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara brothers)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: hasya

FAQs

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

This verse functions as a catalogue-style listing of distinctive forms/names, reflecting the Purana’s technical habit of classifying beings and attributes—supporting disciplined study (adhyayana) and precise recollection (smṛti) used in Vedic sciences.

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

Indirectly: by emphasizing ordered knowledge and correct naming/recognition, it supports the broader Purāṇic method where accurate understanding (jñāna) and disciplined recitation underpin steady devotion, even when the verse itself is not a direct bhakti instruction.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The presence of a term like “Tithīśa” points to tithi-based reckoning (used in calendrics and ritual timing), aligning with Vedāṅga concerns such as Jyotiṣa (astral/calendar calculation) and Nirukta-style attention to names and meanings.