Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 98

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

वराभयाक्षवलयकुठारान्दधतं करैः । विलासिनं स्मेरवक्त्रं सौम्ये सम्यक्समर्चयेत् ॥ ९८ ॥

Transliteration

varābhayākṣavalayakuṭhārāndadhataṃ karaiḥ | vilāsinaṃ smeravaktraṃ saumye samyaksamarcayet || 98 ||

Translation

One should duly worship the gentle and gracious Deity—charming, with a smiling face—who holds in His hands the boon‑giving gesture, the fear‑dispelling gesture, a rosary, a bracelet, and an axe.

Word by Word

• वराभयाक्षवलयकुठारान्: boon, fearlessness, rosary, bracelet, and axe
• वराभयाक्षवलयकुठारान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर + अभय + अक्ष + वलय + कुठार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (list of items held)

• दधतम्: holding
• दधतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धा (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘धारयन्तम्/दधतम्’ = holding

• करैः: with (his) hands
• करैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• विलासिनम्: graceful; playful
• विलासिनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विलासिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (masc. acc. sg.)

• स्मेरवक्त्रम्: with a smiling face
• स्मेरवक्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्मेर + वक्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• सौम्ये: in the auspicious (north) quarter
• सौम्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; दिशि/दिक्-विशेषे (locative singular)

• सम्यक्: properly; correctly
• सम्यक्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्यक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• समर्चयेत्: should worship (with due rites)
• समर्चयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद (should worship duly)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Deity (Saumya form)

FAQs

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

It teaches that correct worship includes precise contemplation of the deity’s auspicious form—boon and protection (varada–abhaya), japa (rosary), and disciplined power (axe)—so the mind becomes steady and devotional.

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

Bhakti is expressed through samyak-arcana—reverent, accurate worship—where the devotee lovingly remembers the deity’s gentle, smiling presence while offering worship according to prescribed form.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects technical ritual knowledge: dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (meditative iconography) used in pūjā/arcana, aligning visualization and worship procedure—an applied, methodical aspect of Vedic practice.