Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 177

Rādhā-sambaddha-mantra-vyākhyā

Rādhā-Related Mantras Explained

Devanagari script

रत्नस्तबकसंपन्नदेहां चारुस्मिताननाम् । पाशं पताकां चर्मापि शार्ङ्गचापं वरं करैः ॥ १७७ ॥

Transliteration

ratnastabakasaṃpannadehāṃ cārusmitānanām | pāśaṃ patākāṃ carmāpi śārṅgacāpaṃ varaṃ karaiḥ || 177 ||

Translation

Ihr Leib ist mit Büscheln von Juwelen geschmückt, und ihr Antlitz wird von einem lieblichen Lächeln geziert. In ihren Händen trägt sie die Schlinge, das Banner, den Lederschild und den vortrefflichen Bogen Śārṅga.

Word by Word

• रत्न-स्तबक-संपन्न-देहाम्: her whose body is adorned with clusters of jewels
• रत्न-स्तबक-संपन्न-देहाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत्न (प्रातिपदिक) + स्तबक (प्रातिपदिक) + संपन्न (कृदन्त, सम्+पद्) + देह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण-समासः (रत्नस्तबकसम्पन्नः देहः यस्याः सा)

• चारु-स्मित-आननाम्: with a lovely smiling face
• चारु-स्मित-आननाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चारु (प्रातिपदिक) + स्मित (कृदन्त, स्मि/स्मय्) + आनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (सुन्दरं स्मितं यस्याः तद् आननम्)

• पाशम्: noose
• पाशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• पताकाम्: banner/flag
• पताकाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पताका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• चर्म: hide/leather
• चर्म: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

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

• शार्ङ्ग-चापम्: the Śārṅga bow
• शार्ङ्ग-चापम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शार्ङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + चाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शार्ङ्गस्य चापः)

• वरम्: excellent
• वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (चापम्)

• करैः: with (her) hands
• करैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Sharnga (Vishnu’s bow)

FAQs

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

The verse uses sacred iconography—jewelled radiance and emblematic weapons—to indicate divine sovereignty, protection, and the power to restrain negativity (pāśa), guiding devotees toward reverence and disciplined worship.

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

By contemplating the deity’s auspicious form and attributes (weapons and emblems), the devotee practices smaraṇa (remembrance) and upāsanā (devotional meditation), strengthening single-pointed devotion through visualized symbols.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

This is most aligned with kalpa-prayoga (ritual procedure): such descriptions function as dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (meditative iconographic cues) used in pūjā and mantra-nyāsa, ensuring correct visualization and ritual conformity.