Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 190

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

अनेन मन्त्रितान्बाणान्विसृजेद्युधि यो नरः । जयेत्क्षणेन निखिलाञ्छत्रून्पार्थ इवापरः ॥ १९० ॥

Transliteration

anena mantritānbāṇānvisṛjedyudhi yo naraḥ | jayetkṣaṇena nikhilāñchatrūnpārtha ivāparaḥ || 190 ||

Translation

Wer im Kampf Pfeile abschießt, die durch dieses Mantra geweiht sind, besiegt augenblicklich alle Feinde—gleich einem zweiten Pārtha (Arjuna).

Word by Word

• अनेन: by this (mantra)
• अनेन: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे/नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया (करण/3rd case), एकवचन; सर्वनाम-रूप (instrumental singular)

• मन्त्रितान्: consecrated/enchanted
• मन्त्रितान्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्त्रि (धातु √मन्त्र्, क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त/PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/2nd case), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• बाणान्: arrows
• बाणान्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/2nd case), बहुवचन

• विसृजेत्: should release/discharge
• विसृजेत्: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + √सृज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• युधि: in battle
• युधि: अधिकरण (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युध् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/7th case), एकवचन; स्थानवाचक

• यः: who
• यः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/1st case), एकवचन; सम्बन्धक-यः (relative pronoun)

• नरः: a man
• नरः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/1st case), एकवचन

• जयेत्: would conquer
• जयेत्: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √जि (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• क्षणेन: in a moment
• क्षणेन: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/3rd case), एकवचन; काल-करण (instrument of time)

• निखिलान्: all, entire
• निखिलान्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निखिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/2nd case), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• शत्रून्: enemies
• शत्रून्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत्रु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/2nd case), बहुवचन

• पार्थः: Arjuna (son of Pṛthā)
• पार्थः: उपमान (Standard of comparison/उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/1st case), एकवचन; उपमान-प्रयोगे (as the standard of comparison)

• इव: like
• इव: सम्बन्ध (Comparative particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय (particle of comparison)

• अपरः: another (one)
• अपरः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/1st case), एकवचन; विशेषण (to the man)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada the efficacy of mantra-prayoga within Vedanga-linked disciplines)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Pārtha (Arjuna)

FAQs

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

The verse emphasizes mantra-śakti—when a sacred formula is properly applied (mantrita), it becomes an instrument of decisive victory, illustrating the Purāṇic view that disciplined sacred knowledge can transform action and outcomes.

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

Though framed as a battle application, the verse indirectly supports bhakti by implying reliance on sacred power rather than mere brute strength—victory comes through reverent, correct engagement with mantra, which traditionally presupposes faith, purity, and devotion to the mantra’s presiding divinity.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights mantra-prayoga (practical application of mantra) connected to technical disciplines like Dhanurveda and supported by Vedāṅga competencies such as correct recitation/phonetics (Śikṣā) and precise formulation/usage (Vyākaraṇa) for empowerment (mantrita) to be effective.