Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 135

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

शिलाविवरनिर्गच्छन्निर्झरानिलशीतले । गायद्देवांगनासंघे नृत्यद्बर्हि कदम्बके ॥ १३५ ॥

Transliteration

śilāvivaranirgacchannirjharānilaśītale | gāyaddevāṃganāsaṃghe nṛtyadbarhi kadambake || 135 ||

Translation

Kühl durch den Hauch der Wasserfälle, die aus Felsspalten hervortreten—dort singen Scharen himmlischer Jungfrauen, und Pfauen tanzen zwischen Kadamba-Bäumen.

Word by Word

• śilā-vivara-nirgacchat: (in a place) where streams are issuing from rock-cavities
• śilā-vivara-nirgacchat: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śilā (प्रातिपदिक) + vivara (प्रातिपदिक) + nir√gam (धातु) → nirgacchat (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ/Present active participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (śilāyāḥ vivaram; vivarāt nirgacchat)

• nirjhara-anila-śītale: cool with the breeze of waterfalls
• nirjhara-anila-śītale: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nirjhara (प्रातिपदिक) + anila (प्रातिपदिक) + śītala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (nirjharasya anilaḥ; tena śītalaḥ)

• gāyat: where (they are) singing
• gāyat: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √gai (धातु) → gāyat (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ/Present active participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• devāṅganā-saṃghe: in the assembly of celestial maidens
• devāṅganā-saṃghe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devāṅganā (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃgha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (saṃgha), सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (devāṅganānāṃ saṃghaḥ)

• nṛtyat: where (they are) dancing
• nṛtyat: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √nṛt (धातु) → nṛtyat (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ/Present active participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• barhi: with peacocks
• barhi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: barhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; वैदिक/काव्य-प्रयोगः—barhi (loc. sg. of barhin ‘peacock’)

• kadambake: in the kadamba-grove/tree
• kadambake: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kadambaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)

Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Characters & Entities

• Devanganas (Apsarases)
• Kadamba
• Peacocks

FAQs

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

It portrays a sanctified, otherworldly landscape—cool, pure, and filled with divine music and auspicious signs—used in the Purana to evoke the atmosphere of a sacred realm conducive to dharma and devotion.

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

By emphasizing devotional aesthetics—song, dance, and a serene holy environment—it suggests that bhakti is nourished through sattvic surroundings and continuous remembrance of the divine amid sacred beauty.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Indirectly, it reflects the Vedāṅga sensitivity to sound and recitation (śikṣā/chandas) through “singing” and the disciplined use of sacred ambience; it is more descriptive than instructional about ritual technique.