Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 35

Hayagrīva-pūjā-vyākhyāna

Worship Procedure and Mantra-Siddhi of Hayagrīva

Devanagari script

तारेण पादैर्मंत्रस्य पञ्चांगानि प्रकल्पयेत् । तुषाराद्रिसमच्छायं तुलसीदामभूषितम् ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

tāreṇa pādairmaṃtrasya pañcāṃgāni prakalpayet | tuṣārādrisamacchāyaṃ tulasīdāmabhūṣitam || 35 ||

Translation

Using the syllabic parts (pādas) of the Tārā-mantra, one should arrange the fivefold limb-placements (pañcāṅga-nyāsa) of the mantra, and then contemplate the deity as radiantly white like the Himālaya’s snowy peak, adorned with a garland of tulasī.

Word by Word

• tāreṇa: by/with ‘tārā’
• tāreṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tārā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• pādaiḥ: with the quarters/parts (pādas)
• pādaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• mantrasya: of the mantra
• mantrasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• pañca-aṅgāni: the five limbs (pañcāṅgas)
• pañca-aṅgāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pañca-aṅga (प्रातिपदिक; पञ्च + अङ्ग)
• Form: Napumsaka, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; dvigu compound ‘five limbs’

• prakalpayet: one should arrange/construct
• prakalpayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + kḷp (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• tuṣāra-adri-sama-chāyam: having a hue like the snowy mountain
• tuṣāra-adri-sama-chāyam: Karma (कर्म; object-description)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tuṣāra-adri-sama-chāya (प्रातिपदिक; तुषार + अद्रि + सम + छाय)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifies an implied deity/form (e.g., hayagrīvaṃ)

• tulasī-dāma-bhūṣitam: adorned with a garland of tulasī
• tulasī-dāma-bhūṣitam: Karma (कर्म; object-description)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tulasī-dāma-bhūṣita (प्रातिपदिक; तुलसी + दाम + भूषित)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; past participle (क्त) used adjectivally

Speaker

Narada (teaching within the Vedanga/ritual-technical context, traditionally in dialogue with Sanatkumara lineage)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Tulasī
• Himālaya (Tuṣārādri)

FAQs

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

It links correct mantra-application (nyāsa using the mantra’s syllabic parts) with pure devotional visualization—whiteness like a snow-mountain signifying sattva and inner clarity, and tulasī signifying Viṣṇu-bhakti and sanctified worship.

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

Bhakti is expressed through embodied practice: placing the mantra onto the body (nyāsa) and meditating on the beloved form adorned with tulasī—an emblem of offering, remembrance, and intimacy with the deity.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual-technical method: dividing a mantra into pādas (segments) and applying pañcāṅga-nyāsa, along with dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (iconic visualization cues) used in mantra-sādhana.