Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

चारुचंद्रावतंसं च रत्नाकल्पोज्ज्वलांगकम् । परश्वधवराभीतिमृगहस्तं शुभाननम् ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

cārucaṃdrāvataṃsaṃ ca ratnākalpojjvalāṃgakam | paraśvadhavarābhītimṛgahastaṃ śubhānanam || 14 ||

Translation

Ein lieblicher Mondsichel-Schmuck zierte sein Haupt; seine Glieder leuchteten von Edelsteinzier. In seinen Händen trug er die Axt (paraśu), die Geste des Segensspendens (varada), das Zeichen der Furchtlosigkeit (abhaya) und ein Reh; sein Antlitz war still und glückverheißend.

Word by Word

• चारु-चन्द्र-अवतंसम्: with a lovely moon-ornament
• चारु-चन्द्र-अवतंसम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चारु (प्रातिपदिक) + चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अवतंस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषभावः — ‘having a beautiful moon as an ornament (on the head)’ (qualifying the deity)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conjunction) — ‘and’

• रत्न-आकल्प-उज्ज्वल-अङ्गकम्: with limbs shining with jeweled ornaments
• रत्न-आकल्प-उज्ज्वल-अङ्गकम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत्न (प्रातिपदिक) + आकल्प (प्रातिपदिक) + उज्ज्वल (प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्गक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; बहु-तत्पुरुषः — ‘whose body is bright with jeweled ornaments’

• परश्वध-वर-अभीति-मृग-हस्तम्: with hands holding an axe, boon, fearlessness, and a deer
• परश्वध-वर-अभीति-मृग-हस्तम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परश्वध (प्रातिपदिक) + वर (प्रातिपदिक) + अभीति (प्रातिपदिक) + मृग (प्रातिपदिक) + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (enumerative) within a bahu-member compound — ‘having (in the hands) an axe, boon, fearlessness, and a deer’

• शुभ-आननम्: with an auspicious face
• शुभ-आननम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक) + आनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः — ‘having an auspicious face’

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Rudra)

FAQs

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

It functions as a dhyāna-style portrayal: meditating on the auspicious form—moon-crest, jeweled brilliance, and protective/boon-giving gestures—centers the mind on divine qualities of grace, protection, and transcendence.

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

Bhakti here is practiced through form-based remembrance (smaraṇa/dhyāna): contemplating the Lord’s compassionate signs (boon and fearlessness) and serene face cultivates trust and loving devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse reflects applied śāstraic iconography (murti-lakṣaṇa) used in ritual and meditation—how specific emblems (axe, abhaya, vara, deer, moon-crest) guide visualization in pūjā and dhyāna.