Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 58

The Description of the Four Durgā Mantras

Devanagari script

प्रधानदेवता वर्णभूषणाद्यैरलंकृताः । अक्षस्रक्पुस्तकाभीतिवरदाढ्यकरांबुजाः ॥ ५८ ॥

Transliteration

pradhānadevatā varṇabhūṣaṇādyairalaṃkṛtāḥ | akṣasrakpustakābhītivaradāḍhyakarāṃbujāḥ || 58 ||

Translation

Die vorstehenden Gottheiten sind mit Farben, Schmuck und dergleichen geziert; und ihre lotosgleichen Hände sind reich versehen mit Rosenkranz, Girlande, Buch, der Geste der Furchtlosigkeit (abhaya) und der Geste des Segensspendens (varada).

Word by Word

• प्रधानदेवताः: the principal deities
• प्रधानदेवताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रधान + देवता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय: प्रधानाः देवताः; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (fem. nom. pl.)

• वर्णभूषणाद्यैः: with colors, ornaments, and the like
• वर्णभूषणाद्यैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण + भूषण + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार/तत्पुरुष-प्राय: वर्ण-भूषण-आदि; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन (instr. pl.)

• अलङ्कृताः: adorned, decorated
• अलङ्कृताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अलङ्कृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि/भूतकालिक विशेषण; प्रथमा, बहुवचन; (here agreeing with देवताः)

• अक्ष: rosary beads / dice (here: rosary)
• अक्ष: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Compound-member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (as compound member)

• स्रक्: garland
• स्रक्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Compound-member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्रज्/स्रक् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (as compound member)

• पुस्तक: book
• पुस्तक: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Compound-member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुस्तक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (as compound member)

• अभीति: fearlessness (gesture of protection)
• अभीति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Compound-member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (as compound member)

• वरद: boon-giving (gesture)
• वरद: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Compound-member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (as compound member)

• आढ्य: rich, splendid
• आढ्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Compound-member)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण; (as compound member)

• कराम्बुजाः: lotus-like hands
• कराम्बुजाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर + अम्बुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय: अम्बुज-सदृशाः कराः; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (nom. pl.)

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara tradition, describing technical/vidyā-related deities)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It presents the presiding deities as embodiments of sacred learning: the rosary signifies japa and discipline, the book signifies śāstra, and the abhaya/varada gestures signify protection and grace given to sincere seekers.

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

By emphasizing approachable divine symbols—fearlessness and boon-giving—it frames devotion as a relationship of surrender where worship supported by japa and śāstra-study yields inner confidence and divine assistance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse points to a Vedāṅga-oriented practice: disciplined mantra-recitation (akṣa/rosary) and textual study (pustaka), foundational to śikṣā, vyākaraṇa, and other technical sciences preserved through memorization and correct recitation.