Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 52

The Exposition of Nṛsiṁha Worship-Mantras, Nyāsa, Mudrās, Yantras, Kavaca, and Nṛsiṁha Gāyatrī

Devanagari script

नरसिंहं महाभीमन कालानलसमप्रभम् । आन्त्रमालाधरं रौद्रं कण्ठहारेण भूषितम् ॥ ५२ ॥

Transliteration

narasiṃhaṃ mahābhīmana kālānalasamaprabham | āntramālādharaṃ raudraṃ kaṇṭhahāreṇa bhūṣitam || 52 ||

Translation

Ich betrachte Narasiṃha — den überaus Furchterregenden, strahlend wie das Feuer der Zeit bei der Auflösung; wild, mit einer Girlande aus Eingeweiden, und mit einem Halsschmuck geschmückt.

Word by Word

• नर-सिंहम्: Narasimha
• नर-सिंहम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक) + सिंह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (नरः सिंह इव / नरसिंहः)

• महाभीमम्: very terrifying
• महाभीमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महā (प्रातिपदिक) + भीम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (महान् भीमः)

• काल-अनल-सम-प्रभम्: having radiance like the fire of Time (cosmic fire)
• काल-अनल-सम-प्रभम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक) + अनल (प्रातिपदिक) + सम (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (कालानलस्य समा प्रभा यस्य)

• आन्त्र-माला-धरम्: wearing a garland of entrails
• आन्त्र-माला-धरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + माला (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (आन्त्राणां मालाṃ धरति)

• रौद्रम्: fierce
• रौद्रम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रौद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कण्ठ-हारेण: with a neck-garland
• कण्ठ-हारेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कण्ठ (प्रातिपदिक) + हार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (कण्ठस्य हारः)

• भूषितम्: adorned
• भूषितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भूष् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (adorned)

Speaker

Narada (in a descriptive/recitative passage praising Narasiṃha)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Narasiṃha
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It presents Narasiṃha as the irresistible, time-transcending protector—His terrifying form symbolizes the destruction of adharma and the burning away of fear, ego, and inner impurities.

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

By vividly meditating on the Lord’s form and attributes, the devotee practices smaraṇa (remembrance) and dhyāna—core bhakti methods that convert fear into surrender and trust in Viṣṇu’s protection.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse primarily serves as a dhyāna-style description used in stotra/japa contexts; it reflects disciplined recitation and visualization rather than a direct lesson in a specific Vedāṅga like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa.