Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16

The Exposition of the Anukramaṇī (Index/Summary) of the Liṅga Purāṇa

Devanagari script

वज्रेश्वरी महाविद्या गायत्रीमहिमा ततः । त्र्यंबकस्य च माहात्म्यं पुराणश्रवणस्य च ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

vajreśvarī mahāvidyā gāyatrīmahimā tataḥ | tryaṃbakasya ca māhātmyaṃ purāṇaśravaṇasya ca || 16 ||

Translation

Viennent ensuite la grande science sacrée (Mahāvidyā) de Vajreśvarī, puis la gloire de la Gāyatrī. Sont également exposées la grandeur de Tryambaka (Śiva) et celle de l’écoute des Purāṇa.

Word by Word

• वज्रेश्वरी: Vajreśvarī (a goddess/name)
• वज्रेश्वरी: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्र + ईश्वरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास: वज्रस्य ईश्वरी (lady/goddess of Vajra)

• महाविद्या: the great Vidyā (great sacred knowledge)
• महाविद्या: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास: महती विद्या

• गायत्री: Gāyatrī
• गायत्री: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गायत्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; समासपूर्वपद (compound member)

• महिमा: the glory (of Gāyatrī)
• महिमा: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महिमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास: गायत्र्याः महिमा (glory of Gāyatrī)

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/क्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रमवाचक अव्यय

• त्र्यंबकस्य: of Tryambaka (Śiva)
• त्र्यंबकस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्र्यंबक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; genitive singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• माहात्म्यम्: greatness, sacred account
• माहात्म्यम्: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माहात्म्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• पुराण: Purāṇa
• पुराण: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुराण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; समासपूर्वपद (compound member)

• श्रवणस्य: of listening (to the Purāṇa)
• श्रवणस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास: पुराण-श्रवणस्य (of hearing the Purāṇa)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Narada Purana’s topic-sequence in Anukramanika style)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Vajreshvari
• Gayatri
• Tryambaka (Shiva)
• Purana (hearing)

FAQs

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

It functions as an Anukramanika (topic-index) verse, highlighting that Devī-vidyā (Vajreśvarī), mantra-glory (Gāyatrī), Śiva’s sacred greatness (Tryambaka), and Purāṇa-śravaṇa are all recognized as spiritually elevating themes within the Purāṇic path.

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

By praising “purāṇa-śravaṇa” (devotional listening) and revered objects of worship/mantra (Gāyatrī, Tryambaka, Devī), it points to Bhakti practiced through hearing sacred narratives and honoring mantra and deities with faith.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It foregrounds mantra-vidyā through the Gāyatrī-mahimā—practically connected with correct recitation and ritual application (śikṣā and kalpa in practice), and with the Purāṇic discipline of śravaṇa (listening) as a structured religious practice.