Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14

Bhuvaneśī (Nidrā-Śakti) Mantra-vidhi, Nyāsa–Āvaraṇa Worship, Padma-homa Prayogas, and the Opening of Śrī-Mahālakṣmī Upāsanā

Devanagari script

न्यस्तव्यं वदने मूलं भूपश्चैत्रांस्ततो न्यसेत् । कण्ठमूले स्तनद्वंद्वे वामांसे हृदयांबुजे ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

nyastavyaṃ vadane mūlaṃ bhūpaścaitrāṃstato nyaset | kaṇṭhamūle stanadvaṃdve vāmāṃse hṛdayāṃbuje || 14 ||

Translation

One should perform nyāsa of the Mūla (root mantra) upon the mouth; then one should place the letters/mantras beginning with “bhūpa” and “caitrā” at the base of the throat, upon the pair of breasts, upon the left shoulder, and upon the lotus of the heart.

Word by Word

• न्यस्तव्यम्: is to be placed
• न्यस्तव्यम्: Karya/Vidhi (विधेय/आज्ञार्थ)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + अस् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—भाव्य/विधेय (तव्यत्-प्रत्यय), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय (is to be placed)

• वदने: in/on the face/mouth
• वदने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• मूलम्: the root (mūla-mantra/seed)
• मूलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अत्र कर्मार्थे (to be placed)

• भूपः: the king / lord
• भूपः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• चैत्रान्: the Caitra (syllables/units)
• चैत्रान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चैत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रम/स्थानवाचक (thereafter/from there)

• न्यसेत्: should place
• न्यसेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• कण्ठ-मूले: at the base of the throat
• कण्ठ-मूले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कण्ठ + मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (‘कण्ठस्य मूलम्’)

• स्तन-द्वन्द्वे: on the pair of breasts
• स्तन-द्वन्द्वे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्तन + द्वन्द्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (‘स्तनयोः द्वन्द्वम्’ = pair)

• वाम-अंसे: on the left shoulder
• वाम-अंसे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम + अंस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (‘वामः अंसः’)

• हृदय-अम्बुजे: in the heart-lotus
• हृदय-अम्बुजे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृदय + अम्बुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (‘हृदयस्य अम्बुजम्’ = heart-lotus)

Speaker

Narada (in instructional discourse on technical ritual procedure, transmitted in the Narada Purana’s Vedanga-focused section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It teaches nyāsa—sacralizing the practitioner’s body as a seat of mantra by assigning the root mantra and its components to specific bodily loci (mouth, throat-base, chest, shoulder, and heart-lotus), aligning speech, breath, devotion, and inner awareness.

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

By directing the mantra into the heart-lotus and vital centers, the verse shows bhakti as embodied remembrance: devotion is not only recitation but an inward installation of the deity/mantra so worship becomes continuous from speech to heart.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual-technical practice (prayoga) akin to Vedanga-style discipline: precise nyāsa sequencing and bodily “anga” mapping for mantra-japa/upāsanā, ensuring correct application of mantra in worship.