Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 152

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

हरद्वयं वह्निजाया हृदयं परिकीर्तितम् । कपर्द्दिने पदयुगं शिरोमंत्र उदाहृतः ॥ १५२ ॥

Transliteration

haradvayaṃ vahnijāyā hṛdayaṃ parikīrtitam | kaparddine padayugaṃ śiromaṃtra udāhṛtaḥ || 152 ||

Translation

“The pair of Hara” is declared to be the Hṛdaya, the Heart-mantra of the consort of Fire. “Kapardin” is taught as the pair of Feet; and “Śiromantra” is stated as the Head-mantra.

Word by Word

• हर-द्वयम्: the pair of ‘hara’ (two ‘hara’ syllables/words)
• हर-द्वयम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हर + द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; ‘हरयोः द्वयम्’ (genitive-tatpurusha)

• वह्नि-जायाः: of the wife of Agni
• वह्नि-जायाः: Shashthi-Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध/Possessive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वह्नि + जाया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; ‘वह्नेः जाया’

• हृदयम्: the heart (hṛdaya-mantra)
• हृदयम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृदय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• परिकीर्तितम्: is proclaimed
• परिकीर्तितम्: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predication)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि + कीर्त् (धातु) → परिकीर्तित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; ‘is proclaimed/mentioned’

• कपर्दिने: to Kapardin (Śiva)
• कपर्दिने: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपर्दिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• पद-युगम्: a pair of words/feet
• पद-युगम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद + युग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; ‘पदयोः युगम्’

• शिरः-मन्त्रः: the head-mantra
• शिरः-मन्त्रः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् + मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; ‘शिरसः मन्त्रः’

• उदाहृतः: is stated
• उदाहृतः: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predication)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद् + आ + हृ (धातु) → उदाहृत (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचन; ‘is stated/uttered’

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Kapardin (Shiva)
• Hara

FAQs

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

It encodes a technical mapping of specific mantra-words to bodily “limbs” (aṅgas) used in nyāsa, showing how mantra is internalized as sacred embodiment rather than recited only verbally.

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

By prescribing nyāsa-style placement of divine names, it supports devotional concentration (smaraṇa) and reverent ritual alignment—turning remembrance of the deity into a disciplined, body-centered practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied ritual science—mantra-aṅga assignment and nyāsa procedure—closely related to Śikṣā (correct recitation) and Kalpa (ritual method) in practical worship.