Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 41

Kṛṣṇādi-mantra-varga-varṇana

Classification of Krishna and Related Mantras

Devanagari script

चक्रैः पंचांगमर्चास्यादंगदिक्पालहेतिभिः । दक्षिणे रत्नचषकं वामे सौवर्णनेत्रकम् ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

cakraiḥ paṃcāṃgamarcāsyādaṃgadikpālahetibhiḥ | dakṣiṇe ratnacaṣakaṃ vāme sauvarṇanetrakam || 41 ||

Translation

The sacred icon (arcā) should be worshipped as having five limbs, marked with discus (cakra) emblems; its limbs are adorned with armlets and equipped with the weapons of the guardians of the directions. In its right hand there should be a jeweled cup, and in its left a golden, eye-like emblem.

Word by Word

• cakraiḥ: with discs (chakras)
• cakraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• pañca-aṅgam: five-limbed (form)
• pañca-aṅgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañca + aṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (numerical): pañca (five) + aṅga (limb)

• arcā: icon/image (arcā)
• arcā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arcā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• syāt: should be
• syāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (अस् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• aṅga-dikpāla-hetibhiḥ: with ornaments, direction-guardians, and weapons
• aṅga-dikpāla-hetibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṅga + dikpāla + heti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (heti-शब्दः), तृतीया, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व-समासः (copulative): aṅga (ornaments/limbs) + dikpāla (guardians of directions) + heti (weapons)

• dakṣiṇe: on the right (side)
• dakṣiṇe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dakṣiṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन; देशवाचक (locative of place: on the right)

• ratna-caṣakam: a jeweled cup
• ratna-caṣakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratna + caṣaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: ratna (gem) + caṣaka (cup/bowl)

• vāme: on the left (side)
• vāme: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; देशवाचक (on the left)

• sauvarṇa-netrakam: a golden netraka (small vessel/implement)
• sauvarṇa-netrakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suvarṇa + netraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: suvarṇa (gold) + netraka (small vessel/implement; lit. ‘little netra’)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada on technical/ritual details)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Dikpalas

FAQs

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

It frames icon-worship (arcā) as a disciplined, rule-governed practice: the deity’s form is contemplated through prescribed limbs, emblems, and attributes so the mind becomes steady and devotion becomes precise rather than vague.

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

By emphasizing concrete sacred symbols (cakra, auspicious ornaments, and held emblems), the verse guides devotees to approach the divine through reverent visualization and proper worship—core methods of Vishnu-bhakti expressed via arcana.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights applied ritual science—procedural and iconographic specification used in worship manuals—aligned with Vedanga-style technical instruction (precise prescriptions for form, implements, and placement).