Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 123

Śeṣoditya-Sūrya-nyāsa, Soma-sādhana, Graha-pūjā, and Bhauma-vrata-vidhi

Devanagari script

आद्यं बीजं नमः शक्तिर्विनियोगोऽखिलाप्तये । वंदे बुधं सदा भक्त्या पीताम्बरविभूषणम् ॥ १२३ ॥

Transliteration

ādyaṃ bījaṃ namaḥ śaktirviniyogo'khilāptaye | vaṃde budhaṃ sadā bhaktyā pītāmbaravibhūṣaṇam || 123 ||

Translation

Die ursprüngliche Samen-Silbe wird verkündet; ihre Śakti ist „namaḥ“; ihre Anwendung dient dem Erreichen aller Ziele. In beständiger Bhakti verneige ich mich vor Budha (Merkur), geschmückt mit gelben Gewändern und Zieraten.

Word by Word

• आद्यम्: primary, first
• आद्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण (adjectival)

• बीजम्: seed (mantric seed-syllable)
• बीजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बीज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (Singular)

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya); नमस्कारार्थक निपात (salutatory particle)

• शक्तिः: power; śakti
• शक्तिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom.), एकवचन (Singular)

• विनियोगः: application; assignment (of the mantra)
• विनियोगः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विनियोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom.), एकवचन (Singular)

• अखिलाप्तये: for attaining everything
• अखिलाप्तये: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अखिल-आप्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), चतुर्थी विभक्ति (Dat.), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष-समासः (determinative): अखिलस्य आप्तिः

• वन्दे: I worship / I bow to
• वन्दे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वन्द् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन (Singular); परस्मैपद

• बुधम्: Budha (Mercury)
• बुधम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Acc.), एकवचन (Singular)

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya); कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of time)

• भक्त्या: with devotion
• भक्त्या: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), तृतीया विभक्ति (Instr.), एकवचन (Singular)

• पीताम्बरविभूषणम्: adorned with a yellow garment/ornaments
• पीताम्बरविभूषणम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीत-अम्बर-विभूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Acc.), एकवचन (Singular); समासः (determinative chain): पीतम् अम्बरम् यस्य/येन, (तत्) विभूषणम्—‘yellow-garment ornamented/adorned’ (as epithet)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a Vedanga/astrology-oriented section; traditional dialogue frame places instruction within Narada’s discourse to sages, often traced to Sanatkumara lineage)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Budha (Mercury)

FAQs

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

It frames Budha-upasana as both mantra-vidhi (bīja–śakti–viniyoga) and bhakti, teaching that disciplined invocation joined with devotion can support the fulfillment of aims and inner clarity.

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

Even while stating technical mantra components, it emphasizes “sadā bhaktyā”—constant devotion—showing that reverence and heartfelt worship are integral, not separate from ritual precision.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedanga Jyotiṣa practice is implied through graha-devatā worship and mantra structure (bīja, śakti, viniyoga), commonly used for graha-śānti and for strengthening Budha-related qualities like intellect and speech.