Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 76

Pañca-prakṛti-nirūpaṇa and Mantra-vidhi: Rādhā, Mahālakṣmī, Durgā, Sarasvatī, Sāvitrī; plus Sāvitrī-Pañjara

Devanagari script

त्रिभिर्वर्मेक्षण द्वाभ्यां सर्वैरस्त्रमुदीरितम् । महामरकतप्रख्यां सहस्रभुजमंडिताम् ॥ ७६ ॥

Transliteration

tribhirvarmekṣaṇa dvābhyāṃ sarvairastramudīritam | mahāmarakataprakhyāṃ sahasrabhujamaṃḍitām || 76 ||

Translation

Durch drei (Mantras) wird die schützende Rüstung angerufen; durch zwei, die Waffe; und durch alle zusammen wird das Geschoss verkündet—strahlend wie ein großer Smaragd und mit tausend Armen geschmückt.

Word by Word

• त्रिभिः: by three
• त्रिभिः: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक-विशेषण

• वर्मेक्षण: armor-vision / protective glance (name of a mantra/limb)
• वर्मेक्षण: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्मेक्षण (प्रातिपदिक; वर्म + ईक्षण)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (वर्मणः ईक्षणम्)

• द्वाभ्याम्: by two
• द्वाभ्याम्: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), द्विवचन; संख्यावाचक-विशेषण

• सर्वैः: by all
• सर्वैः: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम-विशेषण

• अस्त्रम्: weapon (mantric weapon)
• अस्त्रम्: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन

• उदीरितम्: is declared / is uttered
• उदीरितम्: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्-ईर् (धातु) → उदीरित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; predicate adjective

• महा: great
• महा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; (समासपूर्वपद-रूपेण)

• मरकतप्रख्याम्: emerald-like in appearance
• मरकतप्रख्याम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मरकतप्रख्या (प्रातिपदिक; मरकत + प्रख्या)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (मरकतेन प्रख्या/सदृशी)

• सहस्रभुजमण्डिताम्: adorned with a thousand arms
• सहस्रभुजमण्डिताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सहस्रभुजमण्डिता (प्रातिपदिक; सहस्र + भुज + मण्डिता)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सहस्रैः भुजैः मण्डिता)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

FAQs

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

It presents mantra-vidyā as disciplined, rule-bound practice: specific mantra groupings (three, two, or all) correspond to protection (varma), weaponry (astra), and full activation—showing that spiritual power is governed by order, restraint, and correct recitation.

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

Although technical, it implies that sacred power arises through faithful, precise remembrance and utterance; such attentive recitation can be integrated into bhakti as focused japa/visualization performed with reverence rather than mere force.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights mantra-prayoga (application rules) tied to correct utterance and sequencing—skills supported by Vedāṅga disciplines like Śikṣā (phonetics) and Vyākaraṇa (grammar) to preserve accuracy in recitation.