Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 66

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

Devanagari script

द्वाभ्यां कराभ्यां च रिपोर्जानुमस्तकपीडनम् । ऊर्द्ध्वीकृताभ्यां बाहुभ्यां आन्त्रमालाधरं विभुम् ॥ ६६ ॥

Transliteration

dvābhyāṃ karābhyāṃ ca riporjānumastakapīḍanam | ūrddhvīkṛtābhyāṃ bāhubhyāṃ āntramālādharaṃ vibhum || 66 ||

Translation

Mit zwei Händen zermalmt Er den Feind — indem Er Knie und Haupt des Gegners niederdrückt; mit zwei emporgehobenen Armen trägt Er den mächtigen Herrn, geschmückt mit einer Eingeweide‑Girlande (antra‑mālā).

Word by Word

• द्वाभ्याम्: with two
• द्वाभ्याम्: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/सर्वलिङ्ग-प्रयोग (all-gender numeral), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), द्विवचन (Dual); संख्यावाचक-विशेषण (numeral adjective)

• कराभ्याम्: with (two) hands
• कराभ्याम्: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), द्विवचन (Dual)

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• रिपोः: of the enemy
• रिपोः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रिपु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• जानु-मस्तक-पीडनम्: pressing (crushing) of the knee and head
• जानु-मस्तक-पीडनम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जानु (प्रातिपदिक) + मस्तक (प्रातिपदिक) + पीडन (प्रातिपदिक; from √पीड्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-एकवचन (Nom./Acc. sg; form identical); समाहार/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष-प्रायः: जानोः मस्तकस्य पीडनम् (pressing of knee and head)

• ऊर्द्ध्वीकृताभ्याम्: with (two) uplifted
• ऊर्द्ध्वीकृताभ्याम्: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऊर्द्ध्वी-कृत (कृदन्त; √कृ)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), द्विवचन (Dual); 'made raised/up-lifted'

• बाहुभ्याम्: with (two) arms
• बाहुभ्याम्: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), द्विवचन (Dual)

• आन्त्रमालाधरम्: wearing a garland of entrails
• आन्त्रमालाधरम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + माला (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (प्रातिपदिक; from √धृ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: आन्त्राणां माला यस्य सः धरः (wearing a garland of entrails)

• विभुम्: the mighty Lord
• विभुम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a technical/descriptive register consistent with Vedanga-style iconographic enumeration)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Vibhu (the Lord)
• Ripu (enemy/foe)

FAQs

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

It presents a dhyāna-style visualization where the deity’s posture signifies mastery over hostile forces (inner and outer), emphasizing divine supremacy (vibhu) and the awe-inspiring power that protects dharma.

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

By giving concrete visual attributes, it supports bhakti through focused contemplation (dhyāna) and deity-form remembrance—key aids for steady devotion during pūjā and mantra practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied technical description used in ritual contexts—murti-lakṣaṇa and dhyāna-lakṣaṇa—supporting correct visualization and worship procedure (a practical, śāstra-aligned aid akin to Vedanga-style precision).