Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 176

The Exposition of the Krishna Mantra (Kṛṣṇa-mantra-prakāśa): Nyāsa, Dhyāna, Worship, Yantra, and Prayoga

Devanagari script

फुल्लप्रफुल्लसञ्चित्रवितानालंबिमौक्तिके । पद्मरागस्थलीराजद्रत्नसंघैश्च मध्यतः ॥ १७६ ॥

Transliteration

phullapraphullasañcitravitānālaṃbimauktike | padmarāgasthalīrājadratnasaṃghaiśca madhyataḥ || 176 ||

Translation

Von einem reich gemusterten Baldachin, geschmückt mit voll erblühten und halb erblühten Blumen, hingen Perlenschnüre herab; und in der Mitte leuchteten Häufungen königlicher Edelsteine, während der Boden mit Rubinen eingelegt war.

Word by Word

• phulla-praphulla-sañcitra-vitāna-ālambi-mauktike: in/at the pearl(-decorated) hanging canopy, variegated with fully-bloomed (motifs)
• phulla-praphulla-sañcitra-vitāna-ālambi-mauktike: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: phulla + praphulla + sañcitra + vitāna + ālambi + mauktika (प्रातिपदिकानि)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); समासः—बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः; विशेषणम् (qualifying locus)

• padmarāga-sthalī-rājat-ratna-saṃghaiḥ: with clusters of shining jewels on ruby platforms
• padmarāga-sthalī-rājat-ratna-saṃghaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: padmarāga + sthalī + rājat (कृदन्त, √rāj) + ratna + saṃgha (प्रातिपदिकानि)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); समासः—तत्पुरुषः; ‘rājat’ = वर्तमानकृदन्त (present participle) used adjectivally inside compound

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• madhyataḥ: in the middle / from the center
• madhyataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: madhya (प्रातिपदिक) + tas (तसिल्-प्रत्यय, अव्ययीभावार्थ)
• Form: Ablatival adverb (तसिलन्त अव्यय): ‘from/in the middle’

Speaker

Suta (narrating the description within the Purana’s dialogue frame)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It presents sacred-space splendor—pearls, flowers, and gems—as an outward reflection of inner purity and devotional reverence, where beauty becomes a support (ālambana) for concentrated worship.

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

By depicting meticulous adornment of the worship setting, it implies that bhakti expresses itself through careful offering and beautification—treating the divine presence as supremely worthy of honor.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Indirectly, it aligns with ritual practice (kalpa-oriented discipline): preparing a consecrated, orderly, and aesthetically pure environment for rites—an applied principle often accompanying Purāṇic worship instructions.