Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 173

Rādhā-sambaddha-mantra-vyākhyā

Rādhā-Related Mantras Explained

Devanagari script

द्विद्विपक्षाक्षिषड्वर्णैर्मंत्रोत्थैरंगकल्पनम् । श्रोत्रादिनासायुगले वाचि कण्ठे हृदि क्रमात् ॥ १७३ ॥

Transliteration

dvidvipakṣākṣiṣaḍvarṇairmaṃtrotthairaṃgakalpanam | śrotrādināsāyugale vāci kaṇṭhe hṛdi kramāt || 173 ||

Translation

Mit mantra-geborenen Silben—(gezählt als) zwei, zwei, Flügel, Augen und sechs—soll man die Aṅga-kalpanā (Nyāsa) der Gliederzuweisung der Reihe nach vollziehen: beginnend an den Ohren, dann am Paar der Nasenlöcher, darauf bei der Rede (Mund), am Hals und schließlich im Herzen.

Word by Word

• द्वि-द्वि-पक्ष-अक्षि-षड्वर्णैः: with (the letters placed at) the two wings, the two eyes, and the six letters
• द्वि-द्वि-पक्ष-अक्षि-षड्वर्णैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वि (संख्या) + पक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + अक्षि (प्रातिपदिक) + षड्वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक; षट् + वर्ण)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (वर्ण-शब्दानुसार), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वः/समुच्चयार्थः—‘(two+two) wings, eyes, and six letters’ इत्यर्थे साधनत्वेन

• मन्त्र-उत्थैः: arisen from mantras / mantra-derived
• मन्त्र-उत्थैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (मन्त्रात् उत्थाः)

• अङ्ग-कल्पनम्: the arrangement/placement on the limbs
• अङ्ग-कल्पनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + कल्पन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अङ्गस्य कल्पनम्)

• श्रोत्र-आदि-नासायुगले: in the pair of nostrils (and other places beginning with the ears)
• श्रोत्र-आदि-नासायुगले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रोत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + नासा (प्रातिपदिक) + युगल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘श्रोत्रादिषु (स्थानेषु) नासायुगले’ इत्यर्थे स्थाननिर्देशः

• वाचि: in speech / on the tongue
• वाचि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• कण्ठे: in the throat
• कण्ठे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कण्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• हृदि: in the heart
• हृदि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• क्रमात्: in sequence
• क्रमात्: Kriyavisheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (adverbial usage of ablative form), अर्थे—‘क्रमेण’ (in order/stepwise)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It teaches a disciplined inner ritual (nyāsa) where mantra-syllables are consciously installed in key sense-and-vital centers, turning the body into a sanctified support for dhyāna and worship.

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

By prescribing mantra-placement in speech, throat, and heart, it frames devotion as embodied remembrance—purifying perception and expression so the devotee’s inner life becomes aligned with worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual-technical procedure (krama/sequence) and mantra–varṇa (syllable/phoneme) application—elements closely tied to Śikṣā (phonetics) and prayoga (practical ritual method).