Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 48

Rādhā-sambaddha-mantra-vyākhyā

Rādhā-Related Mantras Explained

Devanagari script

हारग्रैवेयकांचीभिरूर्मिकानूपुरादिभिः । मंडितां रक्तवसनां रत्नाभरणशोभिताम् ॥ ४८ ॥

Transliteration

hāragraiveyakāṃcībhirūrmikānūpurādibhiḥ | maṃḍitāṃ raktavasanāṃ ratnābharaṇaśobhitām || 48 ||

Translation

Adorned with necklaces, collar‑ornaments, girdles, bracelets, anklets, and the like; clad in red garments; and resplendent with jeweled ornaments.

Word by Word

• हारग्रैवेयकांचीभिः: with necklaces, torques, and girdles
• हारग्रैवेयकांचीभिः: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हार-ग्रैवेय-काञ्ची (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः द्वन्द्व (हारः + ग्रैवेयम् + काञ्ची)

• ऊर्मिका: with bracelets
• ऊर्मिका: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऊर्मिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन (contextually with -आदिभिः)

• नूपुर: with anklets
• नूपुर: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नूपुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (usage varies), तृतीया, बहुवचन (contextually with -आदिभिः)

• आदिभिः: and the like
• आदिभिः: समुच्चय/परिग्रह (etc.-marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (particle meaning ‘etc.’), तृतीया-बहुवचनरूपेण प्रयोगः (with etc.-sense)

• मण्डिताम्: adorned
• मण्डिताम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मण्डित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √मण्ड्)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (Past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• रक्तवसनाम्: wearing red garments
• रक्तवसनाम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्त-वसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारय (रक्तं वसनं यस्याः/या)

• रत्नाभरणशोभिताम्: beautified by jeweled ornaments
• रत्नाभरणशोभिताम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत्न-आभरण-शोभित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √शुभ्/शोभ्)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त, स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः रत्न-आभरण (तत्पुरुष ‘jewel-ornaments’) + शोभित

Speaker

Narada (narration within the dialogue tradition attributed to Narada and the Sanatkumara brothers)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It functions as a dhyāna-style description: the carefully listed ornaments and red garments present an auspicious, radiant divine form meant for focused contemplation and reverential worship.

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

By detailing a beautified, jewel-resplendent form, the verse supports bhakti through sāguṇa-upāsanā—devotion practiced by meditating on and serving a vividly envisioned, auspicious form.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects the practical side of ritual/recitation usage: precise descriptive terms (lakṣaṇa) aid correct dhyāna and iconographic visualization, aligning with technical traditions that accompany mantra and worship procedure.