Shloka 118

Glory of Puruṣottama: Pañcatīrthī Observance and Narasiṃha Worship

Devanagari script

सिंहस्य प्रतिमां कृत्वा प्रमाणेन षडंगुलाम् । भूर्जपत्रे विशेषेण लिखेद्रोचनया तथा ॥ ११८ ॥

Transliteration

siṃhasya pratimāṃ kṛtvā pramāṇena ṣaḍaṃgulām | bhūrjapatre viśeṣeṇa likhedrocanayā tathā || 118 ||

Translation

Having made (or determined) a lion’s figure, measuring six aṅgulas in size according to the rule, one should then draw it—especially upon birch-bark—using rocanā (yellow pigment) in the prescribed manner.

Word by Word

• siṃhasya: of a lion
• siṃhasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: siṃha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Ṣaṣṭhī-vibhakti (6th), Ekavacana

• pratimām: an image; figure
• pratimām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pratimā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (f.), Dvitīyā-vibhakti (2nd), Ekavacana

• kṛtvā: having made
• kṛtvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया/Anterior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा), “having made”

• pramāṇena: by measure; according to measurement
• pramāṇena: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pramāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), Tṛtīyā-vibhakti (3rd), Ekavacana

• ṣaṭ-aṅgulām: six-finger(-breadths) long
• ṣaṭ-aṅgulām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṣaṭ (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅgula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (f.), Dvitīyā-vibhakti (2nd), Ekavacana; dvigu numeral compound qualifying pratimām

• bhūrja-patre: on birch-bark (leaf)
• bhūrja-patre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūrja (प्रातिपदिक) + patra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), Saptamī-vibhakti (7th), Ekavacana

• viśeṣeṇa: especially
• viśeṣeṇa: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: viśeṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tṛtīyā used adverbially (instrumental of manner): “especially/particularly”

• likhet: should write/draw
• likhet: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: likh (धातु)
• Form: Vidhiliṅ-lakāra (Optative), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana

• rocanayā: with rocanā (yellow pigment)
• rocanayā: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rocanā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (f.), Tṛtīyā-vibhakti (3rd), Ekavacana; (yellow pigment/rocana)

• tathā: thus; likewise
• tathā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; manner particle

Speaker

Narada (in instruction mode within a ritual/mahatmya-rite description)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It emphasizes disciplined ritual precision—correct measurement (pramāṇa), proper medium (bhūrjapatra), and specific pigment (rocanā)—showing that sacred efficacy is linked to exact, rule-based execution.

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

While not directly devotional in tone, it supports bhakti-oriented practice by prescribing a concrete devotional/ritual act performed with care and obedience to scriptural method, turning intention into disciplined worshipful action.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) and pramāṇa-based instruction are foregrounded: the verse gives a measurable specification (six aṅgulas) and correct materials for sacred drawing/inscription.