Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 157

Rādhā-sambaddha-mantra-vyākhyā

Rādhā-Related Mantras Explained

Devanagari script

सितां केवलवाक्सिद्ध्यै लक्ष्म्यै हेमप्रभामपि । धूमाभां वैरिविद्विष्ट्यै मृतये निग्रहाय च ॥ १५७ ॥

Transliteration

sitāṃ kevalavāksiddhyai lakṣmyai hemaprabhāmapi | dhūmābhāṃ vairividviṣṭyai mṛtaye nigrahāya ca || 157 ||

Translation

Die weiße Gestalt/der weiße Ritus sei allein zur Erlangung der Siddhi der Rede zu verwenden; die goldglänzende Gestalt für Wohlstand und für Śrī Lakṣmī; und die rauchfarbene Gestalt zur Bezwingung feindlicher Gegner, zum Herbeiführen des Todes und zur Zügelung (nigraha).

Word by Word

• सिताम्: Sītā (as object/visualized form)
• सिताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; Feminine, Accusative singular

• केवलवाक्सिद्ध्यै: for the attainment of mere speech (power)
• केवलवाक्सिद्ध्यै: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केवल + वाक् + सिद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), एकवचन; Feminine, Dative singular; समासः—तत्पुरुष (केवलाया वाचः सिद्धिः)

• लक्ष्म्यै: for Lakṣmī / for prosperity
• लक्ष्म्यै: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्मी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Feminine, Dative singular

• हेमप्रभाम्: the golden-lustrous (one)
• हेमप्रभाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हेम + प्रभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Feminine, Accusative singular; समासः—कर्मधारय (हेमवत् प्रभा यस्याः/हेमप्रभा)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle)

• धूमाभाम्: the smoke-hued (one)
• धूमाभाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम + आभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Feminine, Accusative singular; समासः—कर्मधारय (धूमवत् आभा)

• वैरिविद्विष्ट्यै: for hatred/aversion toward enemies
• वैरिविद्विष्ट्यै: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैरी + विद्विष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Feminine, Dative singular; समासः—तत्पुरुष (वैरिणां विद्विष्टिः/द्वेषः)

• मृतये: for death (destruction)
• मृतये: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृत्यु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Dative singular

• निग्रहाय: for restraint/suppression
• निग्रहाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Dative singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

Speaker

Narada (teaching within a Vedanga/ritual-technical context to the Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmi

FAQs

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

It classifies ritual or mantric applications by “color-forms,” showing that intentions (speech-siddhi, prosperity, restraint/subjugation) determine the prescribed mode—emphasizing disciplined, purpose-specific use of sacred techniques.

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

Indirectly: it frames powers and results as governed by dharmic procedure rather than egoic display; in a bhakti-aligned reading, prosperity (Lakṣmī) and siddhis are to be sought through regulated, reverent practice, not mere ambition.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

A technical, applied taxonomy of ritual outcomes—linking specific aims (vāk-siddhi, Lakṣmī/wealth, nigraha) to prescribed forms—reflecting the procedural mindset associated with Vedāṅga-style discipline in mantra/karma practice.