Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 28

Hanumān-mantra-kathana: Mantra-bheda, Nyāsa, Yantra, and Prayoga

Devanagari script

क्रूराश्च जंतवोऽप्येवं भवंति वशवर्तिनः । गृहीत्वेशनदिस्कंस्थं करंजतरुमूलकम् ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

krūrāśca jaṃtavo'pyevaṃ bhavaṃti vaśavartinaḥ | gṛhītveśanadiskaṃsthaṃ karaṃjatarumūlakam || 28 ||

Translation

Auf eben diese Weise werden selbst wilde Geschöpfe gefügig und geraten unter die Gewalt, wenn man die Wurzel des Karañja-Baumes nimmt, die auf der Anordnung der Īśana-Scheibe niedergelegt (oder befestigt) wurde.

Word by Word

• krūrāḥ: cruel (ones)
• krūrāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: krūra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative, 1st), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-nipāta (conjunction/particle)

• jantavaḥ: creatures, beings
• jantavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jantu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative, 1st), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• api: also, even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Sambhāvanā/Avadhāraṇa-nipāta (particle: also/even)

• evam: thus, in this way
• evam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Prakāra-avyaya (adverb of manner)

• bhavanti: become, are
• bhavanti: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (भू धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), Bahuvacana (Plural), Parasmaipada

• vaśa-vartinaḥ: subservient, under (someone's) control
• vaśa-vartinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vaśa (प्रातिपदिक) + vartin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative, 1st), Bahuvacana (Plural); Ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa: vaśasya vartinaḥ = 'under control'

• gṛhītvā: having taken
• gṛhītvā: Kriyā (क्रिया/Non-finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: grah (ग्रह् धातु)
• Form: Ktvā-pratyaya (absolutive/gerund), 'having taken'

• īśana-diskaṃ-stham: situated in the Īśāna direction/region
• īśana-diskaṃ-stham: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: īśana (प्रातिपदिक) + diskaṃ (प्रातिपदिक) + stha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (Neuter), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana (Singular); (īśana-diskaṃ)-stha = 'situated in/at the īśana-diskaṃ (NE quarter/region)' (locative-relation tatpuruṣa)

• karañja-taru-mūlakam: (a piece of) karañja-tree root
• karañja-taru-mūlakam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karañja (प्रातिपदिक) + taru (प्रातिपदिक) + mūlaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (Neuter), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana (Singular); tatpuruṣa: karañjasya taroḥ mūlakam = 'root of a karañja tree'

Speaker

Narada (instructional narrative within Vedanga/technical practice section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Īśāna (northeast direction)
• Karañja (tree)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that properly performed Vedic prayoga—using correct substances and directional placement—can pacify harmful forces, reflecting the Purana’s view that order (ṛta/dharma) can be restored through disciplined ritual knowledge.

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

While the verse is primarily technical, it indirectly supports Bhakti by portraying ritual discipline as a protective aid that removes obstacles and fear, allowing a devotee to pursue worship and dharmic life steadily.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights prayoga-style application: use of a specific dravya (karañja root) and a precise dik (Īśāna/northeast) placement—typical of technical ritual procedure associated with Vedanga-oriented practice.