Shloka 11

The Greatness of Puruṣottama

Aṣṭākṣarī Maṇḍala-Pūjā and Nyāsa

Devanagari script

नाकारं पूर्वबीजं तु दक्षिणस्यां व्यवस्थितम् । राकारस्तेज इत्याहुर्नाभिदेशे व्यवस्थितः ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

nākāraṃ pūrvabījaṃ tu dakṣiṇasyāṃ vyavasthitam | rākārasteja ityāhurnābhideśe vyavasthitaḥ || 11 ||

Translation

The syllable “na,” the prior seed-sound, should be placed on the right side. The syllable “ra,” they declare, is of the nature of radiance (tejas) and should be placed in the region of the navel.

Word by Word

• नाकारम्: the syllable ‘na’ (nākāra)
• नाकारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; -अकारान्त

• पूर्वबीजम्: the prior seed-syllable
• पूर्वबीजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्व + बीज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (पूर्वं बीजम्)

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha/Particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphasis/contrast)

• दक्षिणस्याम्: on the right side
• दक्षिणस्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• व्यवस्थितम्: placed/established
• व्यवस्थितम्: Karma-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्मसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + अव + स्था (धातु) → व्यवस्थित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘स्थित’ = placed/established

• राकारः: the syllable ‘ra’ (rākāra)
• राकारः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन; -अकारान्त

• तेजः: splendour/energy
• तेजः: Samānādhikaraṇa (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; -अस्-प्रातिपदिक

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha/Particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; इत्यादि-निपात (quotation marker)

• आहुः: they say
• आहुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अह् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• नाभिदेशे: in the region of the navel
• नाभिदेशे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाभि + देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (नाभेः देशः)

• व्यवस्थितः: is situated/established
• व्यवस्थितः: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + अव + स्था (धातु) → व्यवस्थित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a technical, instructional mode within the chapter’s ritual/nyāsa context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It teaches a nyāsa-style mapping of mantra syllables onto the body, linking sound (bīja) with specific loci (right side, navel) to awaken ordered inner energy and focused worship.

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

By prescribing disciplined mantra-placement, it supports bhakti as embodied practice—devotion expressed through precise recitation and ritual alignment rather than emotion alone.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Śikṣā (phonetics) and mantra-vidhi: the verse treats specific akṣaras (na/ra) as functional units with assigned placements, reflecting technical knowledge of sound, articulation, and ritual application.