Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 97

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

Devanagari script

चारुप्रसन्नवदनं स्फुरन्मकरकुंडलम् । श्रीवत्सवक्षसं भ्राजत्कौस्तुभं सुमनोहरम् ॥ ९७ ॥

Transliteration

cāruprasannavadanaṃ sphuranmakarakuṃḍalam | śrīvatsavakṣasaṃ bhrājatkaustubhaṃ sumanoharam || 97 ||

Translation

Sein Antlitz war anmutig und heiter; seine makara-förmigen Ohrringe funkelten. Auf seiner Brust leuchtete das Zeichen Śrīvatsa, und das Kaustubha-Juwel strahlte — alles an Ihm war höchst bezaubernd.

Word by Word

• cāru-prasanna-vadanam: with a beautiful, serene face
• cāru-prasanna-vadanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: cāru (प्रातिपदिक) + prasanna (प्रातिपदिक) + vadana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण

• sphuran-makara-kuṇḍalam: with shining makara-earrings
• sphuran-makara-kuṇḍalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sphurat (धातु √sphur, कृदन्त/वर्तमानकृदन्त) + makara (प्रातिपदिक) + kuṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; वर्तमानकृदन्त (present participle) sphuran = 'shining'; विशेषण

• śrīvatsa-vakṣasam: having the Śrīvatsa mark on the chest
• śrīvatsa-vakṣasam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrīvatsa (प्रातिपदिक) + vakṣas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (having Śrīvatsa on the chest)

• bhrājat-kaustubham: with the shining Kaustubha jewel
• bhrājat-kaustubham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhrājat (धातु √bhrāj, कृदन्त/वर्तमानकृदन्त) + kaustubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; वर्तमानकृदन्त bhrājat = 'shining'; विशेषण

• su-manoharam: very charming
• su-manoharam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + manohara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण; su- = 'very' (intensifier)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada a dhyāna-description of Bhagavan Vishnu)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Srivatsa
• Kaustubha

FAQs

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

It provides a precise meditative visualization (dhyāna) of Vishnu’s auspicious marks—Śrīvatsa and Kaustubha—so the mind can become steady in devotion and attain purity and inner absorption.

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

By directing the devotee to lovingly contemplate Vishnu’s beautiful, compassionate form and divine insignia, it turns remembrance (smaraṇa) into a concrete practice, strengthening bhakti through focused, affectionate attention.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

This verse mainly supports applied dhyāna used in mantra-japa and ritual worship; it aligns with śikṣā/prayoga aspects (correct meditative application during recitation) rather than technical astrology or grammar.