Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 108

The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca

Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta

Devanagari script

असाध्यी विग्रहो दिव्यो भावो व्याप्तजगत्त्रयः । जितेंद्रियो जितारातिः स्वच्छंदोऽनंतविक्रममः ॥ १०८ ॥

Transliteration

asādhyī vigraho divyo bhāvo vyāptajagattrayaḥ | jiteṃdriyo jitārātiḥ svacchaṃdo'naṃtavikramamaḥ || 108 ||

Translation

His form is unconquerable and divine; His very being pervades the three worlds. He is the master of the senses, the vanquisher of enemies, self-willed (independent), and of limitless valor and prowess.

Word by Word

• असाध्यी: unconquerable / unattainable
• असाध्यी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ + साध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; नञ्-समासार्थ (असाध्यः = दुर्जेयः/अप्राप्यः); पाठे 'असाध्यी' इति रूपं (असाध्यः इत्यर्थे)

• विग्रहः: form, body
• विग्रहः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• दिव्यः: divine
• दिव्यः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• भावः: being, nature
• भावः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• व्याप्तजगत्त्रयः: one who pervades the three worlds
• व्याप्तजगत्त्रयः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: व्याप्त (कृदन्त; √व्याप् धातु) + जगत् + त्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (जगत्त्रयं व्याप्तं येन सः); 'व्याप्त' = भूतकृदन्त/क्त (past passive participle)

• जितेन्द्रियः: one who has conquered the senses
• जितेन्द्रियः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जित (कृदन्त; √जि धातु) + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (इन्द्रियाणि जितानि येन सः); 'जित' = क्त (PPP)

• जितारातिः: one who has defeated enemies
• जितारातिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जित (कृदन्त; √जि धातु) + अराति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (अरातयः/शत्रवः जिताः येन सः); 'जित' = क्त (PPP)

• स्वच्छन्दः: self-willed, independent
• स्वच्छन्दः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व + छन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (स्वेच्छया/स्वतन्त्रः)

• अनन्तविक्रममः: of infinite prowess
• अनन्तविक्रममः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनन्त + विक्रम + म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (अनन्तः विक्रमः यस्य); पाठे 'विक्रममः' इति रूपं 'विक्रमः' इत्यर्थे (लिप्यन्तर/पाठभेदसम्भव)

Speaker

Narada (within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It presents the Supreme (Vishnu) as both transcendent (divine, unconquerable) and immanent (pervading the three worlds), encouraging devotion grounded in the recognition of His absolute sovereignty.

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

By listing divine attributes—independence, infinite prowess, and mastery—it directs the devotee to surrender (śaraṇāgati) to the One who cannot be overcome and who sustains all realms.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse is primarily stotra-style theology rather than a technical Vedanga rule; however, it models precise epithet-compounding (a Vyākaraṇa-oriented feature) used in Narada Purana’s Vedanga-rich sections.