Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 134

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

मत्तः शशिप्रभायुक्तो विमत्तो लोलनेत्रया । मत्तवाहश्चञ्चलया जटी दीप्तिसमन्वितः ॥ १३४ ॥

Transliteration

mattaḥ śaśiprabhāyukto vimatto lolanetrayā | mattavāhaścañcalayā jaṭī dīptisamanvitaḥ || 134 ||

Translation

Trunken, mit mondgleichem Glanz begabt; und doch wie untrunken, wegen der Frau mit den ruhelosen Augen. Mit einem berauschten, stürmischen Reittier und einer wankelmütigen Gefährtin ist er der Asket mit verfilztem Haar, erfüllt von flammender Herrlichkeit.

Word by Word

• मत्तः: from the intoxicated (one)
• मत्तः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mad (धातु) → matta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी विभक्ति (Ablative/अपादान), एकवचन; ‘मत्त’ (intoxicated one) से/से अलग

• शशि-प्रभा-युक्तः: endowed with moon-like radiance
• शशि-प्रभा-युक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शशि (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रभा (प्रातिपदिक) + युक्त (कृदन्त, √युज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; ‘युक्त’ = क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle)

• विमत्तः: frenzied/intoxicated
• विमत्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-matta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘विमत्त’ = very/intensely intoxicated (or frenzied)

• लोल-नेत्रया: by/with the one of wavering eyes
• लोल-नेत्रया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोल (प्रातिपदिक) + नेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन; ‘लोलनेत्रा’ = चञ्चल-नेत्रा (one with wavering eyes)

• मत्त-वाहः: the bearer of the intoxicated
• मत्त-वाहः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मत्त (प्रातिपदिक) + वाह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘मत्तवाह’ = intoxicated-carrier/one who bears the intoxicated

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• चञ्चलया: by/with the fickle (female)
• चञ्चलया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चञ्चला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• जटी: the matted-haired one
• जटी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जटिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; जटाधरः (one with matted hair)

• दीप्ति-समन्वितः: endowed with brilliance
• दीप्ति-समन्वितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीप्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + समन्वित (कृदन्त, √अन्वि/अन्वय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘समन्वित’ = क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (endowed/possessed)

Speaker

Narada (within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue frame typical of this section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)

Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

FAQs

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

The verse uses paradoxical epithets—intoxicated yet seemingly sober, restless yet radiant—to portray a being whose outer movements and inner splendor coexist, suggesting mastery of powerful energies while remaining rooted in ascetic brilliance (tejas).

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

While not a direct bhakti instruction, it supports bhakti theology by emphasizing divine/saintly qualities (radiance, tejas, ascetic marks) that devotees contemplate—lakṣaṇa-based meditation that steadies the mind toward the revered form and attributes.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects lakṣaṇa-style technical description—precise epithets and attributes used in Purāṇic and Vedāṅga-adjacent traditions for identification, recitation accuracy, and contemplative visualization (useful alongside śikṣā/phonetics and nirukta-style semantic parsing).