Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38

The Exposition of Hanumān’s Protective Kavaca

Māruti-kavaca

Devanagari script

अक्षस्य वधकर्त्रे च ब्रह्मशस्त्रनिवारिणे । लक्ष्मणांगमहाशक्तिजातक्षतविनाशिने ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

akṣasya vadhakartre ca brahmaśastranivāriṇe | lakṣmaṇāṃgamahāśaktijātakṣatavināśine || 38 ||

Translation

Salutations to Him who slew Akṣa, who averted the Brahmā-weapon (Brahmāstra), and who destroyed the wound caused by the great Śakti that struck Lakṣmaṇa’s body.

Word by Word

• अक्षस्य: of Akṣa
• अक्षस्य: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• वधकर्त्रे: to the slayer (killer)
• वधकर्त्रे: सम्प्रदान (चतुर्थी/Dative recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वध + कर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-कर्तृ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• ब्रह्मशस्त्रनिवारिणे: to the preventer of the Brahmā-weapon
• ब्रह्मशस्त्रनिवारिणे: सम्प्रदान (चतुर्थी/Dative recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मशस्त्र + निवारिन् (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-निवारिन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन (Singular)

• लक्ष्मणाङ्गमहाशक्तिजातक्षतविनाशिने: to the destroyer of the wound caused by the great spear in Lakṣmaṇa's body
• लक्ष्मणाङ्गमहाशक्तिजातक्षतविनाशिने: सम्प्रदान (चतुर्थी/Dative recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्मण + अङ्ग + महाशक्ति + जात + क्षत + विनाशिन् (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-विनाशिन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Narada (in a devotional eulogy/stotra context within the dialogue tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Akṣa
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Brahmāstra
• Śrī Rāma

FAQs

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

It venerates the Lord (Rāma) as both protector and healer—one who neutralizes even divine missiles and removes grievous afflictions—encouraging surrender (śaraṇāgati) and trust in divine grace.

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

Bhakti is expressed through remembrance of the Lord’s līlā (sacred deeds): praising His victory over evil (Akṣa), His protective power (averting the Brahmā-weapon), and His compassion (healing Lakṣmaṇa), which deepens devotion and reliance on Him.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Primarily a stotra-style application of chandas and śabda-prayoga (poetic liturgical usage), showing how structured praise is used as a devotional practice; it is not a direct technical lesson in a specific Vedāṅga like Jyotiṣa or Kalpa in this verse.