Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 98

The Description of the Four Durgā Mantras

Devanagari script

आदाय तिलकं भाले कुर्य्याद्भूमिपतीन्नरान् । वनितामदगर्वाढ्या मदोन्मत्तान्मतंदजान् ॥ ९८ ॥

Transliteration

ādāya tilakaṃ bhāle kuryyādbhūmipatīnnarān | vanitāmadagarvāḍhyā madonmattānmataṃdajān || 98 ||

Translation

Trägt man das Tilaka auf der Stirn, so kann man Männer zu Herren der Erde machen; und man bezwingt auch Frauen, die von Stolz und Rausch geschwollen sind, ebenso wie jene, die vom Hochmut rasend werden — wie brünstige Elefanten, die wild um sich schlagen.

Word by Word

• आदाय: having taken
• आदाय: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-दा (धातु) → आदाय (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive), ‘having taken’

• तिलकम्: tilaka mark/paste
• तिलकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिलक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• भाले: on the forehead
• भाले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• कुर्यात्: should make/apply
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• भूमि-पतीन्: kings/lords of the earth
• भूमि-पतीन्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक) + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: भूमेः पतयः)

• नरान्: men
• नरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• वनिता-मद-गर्व-आढ्याः: those rich in pride from women’s intoxication (i.e., woman-proud)
• वनिता-मद-गर्व-आढ्याः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वनिता (प्रातिपदिक) + मद (प्रातिपदिक) + गर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (वनितायाः मदः, तेन गर्वः, तेन आढ्याः)

• मद-उन्मत्तान्: intoxicated, frenzied with pride
• मद-उन्मत्तान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मद (प्रातिपदिक) + उन्मत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (मदेन उन्मत्ताः)

• मतङ्गजान्: elephants
• मतङ्गजान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मतङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (मतङ्गात् जाताः = elephants)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a technical/ritual context within Book 1.3)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

The verse presents tilaka as an auspicious dharmic marker whose power is not merely social but subtle—supporting authority, prosperity, and the pacification of unruly passions (pride, intoxication, arrogance).

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

Though Bhakti is not named directly, tilaka traditionally signifies dedication to a deity (often Vishnu). The verse implies that outward devotional signs, when aligned with inner discipline, can transform one’s destiny and steady the mind against vanity and ego.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied ritual practice (a technical observance within the Vedanga-oriented section): correct use of auspicious bodily marks as part of dharmic conduct, emphasizing observable disciplines that support inner restraint and social order.