Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

The Description of the Four Durgā Mantras

Devanagari script

डाकिनीवर्णनीसंज्ञं तारावाग्भ्यां प्रपूजयेत् । एवं पूजादिभिः सिद्धे मन्त्रे मंत्री मनोरथान् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

ḍākinīvarṇanīsaṃjñaṃ tārāvāgbhyāṃ prapūjayet | evaṃ pūjādibhiḥ siddhe mantre maṃtrī manorathān || 20 ||

Translation

One should duly worship the mantra known as “Ḍākinī-varṇanī” with the seed-syllables Tārā and Vāk. Thus, when the mantra is perfected through worship and related observances, the mantra-practitioner attains the desired aims.

Word by Word

• डाकिनी-वर्णनी-संज्ञम्: having the designation ‘Ḍākinī-varṇanī’
• डाकिनी-वर्णनी-संज्ञम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: डाकिनी (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्णनी (प्रातिपदिक) + संज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (डाकिन्याः वर्णन्या संज्ञा यस्य)

• तारा-वाग्भ्याम्: with (the mantras of) Tārā and Vāk
• तारा-वाग्भ्याम्: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तारा (प्रातिपदिक) + वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्व-समासः

• प्रपूजयेत्: should worship
• प्रपूजयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + पूज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb: 'thus/in this way')

• पूजा-आदिभिः: by worship and the like
• पूजा-आदिभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूजा (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन; अव्ययीभाव-समासः (पूजादि = पूजा-प्रभृति)

• सिद्धे: when (it is) accomplished
• सिद्धे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location/Condition)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सिद्ध (कृदन्त; √सिध्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past participle) used adjectivally

• मन्त्रे: in the mantra
• मन्त्रे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• मन्त्री: the mantra-practitioner
• मन्त्री: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्रिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मनोरथान्: desired aims/wishes
• मनोरथान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनोरथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a technical/ritual context, as part of Vedanga-style mantra procedure)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Tārā
• Vāk (Sarasvatī)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that mantra-power is not merely recitation but arises from disciplined worship and observances; when a mantra is ‘siddha’ (perfected), it becomes an effective spiritual instrument for accomplishing rightful intentions.

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

Bhakti here appears as reverential pūjā toward the mantra’s presiding śakti (Tārā/Vāk); devotion expressed through ritual steadiness is presented as the means by which spiritual efficacy (siddhi) manifests.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights applied ritual procedure—how specific bīja-syllables/deities are invoked and worshiped, and how mantra-siddhi is said to arise through structured practices like pūjā and allied disciplines.