Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 112

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

भालेंदुविगलंत्पीयूषप्लुतांगमलंकृतम् । हाराद्यैर्निजकांत्या तु ध्यायेद्विश्वविमोहनम् ॥ ११२ ॥

Transliteration

bhāleṃduvigalaṃtpīyūṣaplutāṃgamalaṃkṛtam | hārādyairnijakāṃtyā tu dhyāyedviśvavimohanam || 112 ||

Translation

One should meditate on the All-enchanting Lord—adorned, His limbs suffused with nectar that drips from the moon upon His forehead, and beautified by necklaces and other ornaments that shine with His own radiance.

Word by Word

• bhāla-indu-vigalant-pīyūṣa-pluta-aṅgam: whose body is bathed in nectar dripping from the forehead-moon
• bhāla-indu-vigalant-pīyūṣa-pluta-aṅgam: Karma (कर्म) / Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhāla (प्रातिपदिक) + indu (प्रातिपदिक) + vigalant (कृदन्त; vi-gal-śatṛ) + pīyūṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + pluta (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā (Acc. 2nd), Ekavacana; ‘whose body is drenched with nectar dripping from the forehead-moon’

• alaṃkṛtam: adorned
• alaṃkṛtam: Karma (कर्म) / Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: alaṃ-kṛ (धातु) + kta (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Kta-participle, Napuṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā (Acc. 2nd), Ekavacana; ‘adorned’

• hāra-ādyaiḥ: with garlands and the like
• hāra-ādyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hāra (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (Instr. 3rd), Bahuvacana; ‘with garlands etc.’

• nija-kāṃtyā: with (his) own radiance
• nija-kāṃtyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nija (प्रातिपदिक) + kānti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā (Instr. 3rd), Ekavacana; ‘by/with one’s own radiance’

• tu: indeed / and
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; particle (nipāta) indicating emphasis/contrast

• dhyāyet: should meditate upon
• dhyāyet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dhyai (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (Optative), Prathama puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; Parasmaipada

• viśva-vimohanam: the one who enchants the whole world
• viśva-vimohanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viśva (प्रातिपदिक) + vimohana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā (Acc. 2nd), Ekavacana; ‘the deluder/enchanter of the universe’ (object of meditation)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a dhyana/upasana sequence)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It gives a focused dhyana-lakshana (meditative visualization) of the Lord: concentrating on His radiant, nectar-like auspiciousness and ornamented form steadies the mind and deepens devotion.

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

Bhakti is expressed here as contemplative worship—loving attention to the Lord’s beauty and divine qualities—so the heart becomes absorbed in Him rather than worldly attractions.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied upasana practice used alongside mantra-vidhi: a prescribed form-meditation (dhyana) that supports correct ritual focus and disciplined recitation.