Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 158

The Description of the Four Durgā Mantras

Devanagari script

विमुक्तकुंतलां सूक्ष्मां विधवां विरलद्विजाम् । कंकध्वजरथारूढां प्रलंबितपयोधरम् ॥ १५८ ॥

Transliteration

vimuktakuṃtalāṃ sūkṣmāṃ vidhavāṃ viraladvijām | kaṃkadhvajarathārūḍhāṃ pralaṃbitapayodharam || 158 ||

Translation

She appeared with her hair loosened, slender and emaciated, a widow with only a few teeth remaining—mounted upon a chariot bearing the banner of a heron, with pendulous breasts.

Word by Word

• vimukta-kuṃtalām: with loosened hair
• vimukta-kuṃtalām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vimukta (कृदन्त; √muc धातु) + kuṃtala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः (vimuktāḥ kuṃtalāḥ yasyāḥ)

• sūkṣmām: thin/subtle
• sūkṣmām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūkṣma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• vidhavām: widowed
• vidhavām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vidhavā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• virala-dvijām: having sparse teeth
• virala-dvijām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: virala (प्रातिपदिक) + dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः (viralāḥ dvijāḥ yasyāḥ / virala-dvijā)

• kaṃka-dhvaja-ratha-ārūḍhām: mounted on a chariot with a heron-banner
• kaṃka-dhvaja-ratha-ārūḍhām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kaṃka (प्रातिपदिक) + dhvaja (प्रातिपदिक) + ratha (प्रातिपदिक) + ārūḍhā (कृदन्त; √ruh धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (kaṃka-dhvajaḥ rathaḥ—tam ārūḍhā)

• pralaṃbita-payodharām: with pendulous breasts
• pralaṃbita-payodharām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pralaṃbita (कृदन्त; √lamb धातु) + payodhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः (pralaṃbitāḥ payodharāḥ yasyāḥ)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

The verse uses stark, symbolic imagery to depict an inauspicious or suffering condition, reinforcing the Purana’s moral teaching that degraded states arise from adharma and the ripening of karma.

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

By contrasting frightening or sorrowful manifestations with the implied refuge in dharma and right conduct, the narrative context encourages turning the mind toward auspicious practices—classically fulfilled through devotion to Vishnu and disciplined living.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It aligns with traditional omen-and-symbol interpretation used alongside Jyotisha and dharma-nirnaya: recognizing inauspicious signs and responding with corrective dharmic acts (prāyaścitta, vrata, and regulated conduct) where appropriate.