Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 33

Bhuvaneśī (Nidrā-Śakti) Mantra-vidhi, Nyāsa–Āvaraṇa Worship, Padma-homa Prayogas, and the Opening of Śrī-Mahālakṣmī Upāsanā

Devanagari script

माध्वीपूर्णकपालाढ्यं विघ्नराजं दिगंबरम् । पुष्करे विगलद्रत्नस्फुरच्चषकधारिणम् ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

mādhvīpūrṇakapālāḍhyaṃ vighnarājaṃ digaṃbaram | puṣkare vigaladratnasphuraccaṣakadhāriṇam || 33 ||

Translation

Ich meditiere über Vighnarāja (Gaṇeśa), in den Himmel gekleidet (nackt), reich geschmückt mit einer Schädel-Schale voll Honigwein, und in der Lotoshand einen strahlenden Becher haltend, von tropfenden Juwelen funkelnd.

Word by Word

• mādhvī-pūrṇa-kapāla-āḍhyam: abounding in a skull-bowl full of mead
• mādhvī-pūrṇa-kapāla-āḍhyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of ‘vighna-rājam’
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mādhvī + pūrṇa + kapāla + āḍhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; tatpuruṣa ‘rich/abundant with a skull-bowl full of mādhvī (mead)’

• vighna-rājam: Vighnarāja (Gaṇeśa)
• vighna-rājam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vighna + rāja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• dig-ambaram: sky-clad (naked)
• dig-ambaram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of ‘vighna-rājam’
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dik + ambara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; tatpuruṣa ‘having the directions as garment’ (naked/sky-clad)

• puṣkare: in/on the lotus
• puṣkare: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣkara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• vigalat-ratna-sphurat-caṣaka-dhāriṇam: holding a cup glittering with slipping gems
• vigalat-ratna-sphurat-caṣaka-dhāriṇam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of ‘vighna-rājam’
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-gal (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ) + ratna + sphurat (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त) + caṣaka + dhārin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; tatpuruṣa: ‘holding a cup (caṣaka) that is shining with gems that are slipping/falling’ (vigalat = ‘dropping’)

Speaker

Narada (as a devotional/ritual description within the teaching context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vighnaraja (Ganesha)
• Pushkara (lotus)

FAQs

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

It functions as an auspicious invocation of Vighnarāja (Gaṇeśa), emphasizing obstacle-removal and ritual readiness before undertaking sacred study or technical disciplines.

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

Bhakti here is expressed as dhyāna and stuti—contemplating the deity’s iconographic marks to focus the mind, invoke grace, and ensure a smooth, unobstructed practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects the prayoga-principle used in ritual sciences: beginning any recitation, study, or rite with a vighna-śānti/āvāhana-style invocation to prevent impediments.