Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56

योगस्वरूप-धारणा-समाधि-वर्णनम् (केशिध्वजोपदेशः)

Devanagari script

प्रसन्नचारुवदनं पद्मपत्रायतेक्षणम् । सुकपोलं सुविस्तीर्णं ललाटफलकोज्ज्वलम् ॥ ५६ ॥

Transliteration

prasannacāruvadanaṃ padmapatrāyatekṣaṇam | sukapolaṃ suvistīrṇaṃ lalāṭaphalakojjvalam || 56 ||

Translation

Il avait un visage serein et gracieux, des yeux allongés comme des pétales de lotus, des joues bien dessinées et un front large et rayonnant.

Word by Word

• प्रसन्नचारुवदनम्: having a serene and beautiful face
• प्रसन्नचारुवदनम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसन्न + चारु + वदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (प्रसन्नं च चारु च वदनं यस्य/यत्)

• पद्मपत्रायतेक्षणम्: with eyes elongated like lotus-petals
• पद्मपत्रायतेक्षणम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म + पत्र + आयत + ईक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (पद्मपत्रवत् आयते ईक्षणे यस्य/यत्)

• सुकपोलम्: with beautiful cheeks
• सुकपोलम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + कपोल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपसर्गपूर्वक कर्मधारय (सुन्दरः कपोलः)

• सुविस्तीर्णम्: very broad, well-extended
• सुविस्तीर्णम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + विस्तीर्ण (कृदन्त; √स्तॄ/√स्तृ धातु, past participle)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘well-spread/broad’

• ललाटफलकोज्ज्वलम्: with a shining forehead-surface
• ललाटफलकोज्ज्वलम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ललाट + फलक + उज्ज्वल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ललाटस्य फलकम्) + कर्मधारय (उज्ज्वलम्)

Speaker

Narada (describing a revered divine/personage form within the Moksha-Dharma narrative)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

The verse provides dhyāna-oriented imagery—an auspicious, serene form meant to steady the mind and evoke sattva, supporting contemplation that leads toward mokṣa.

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

By portraying a pleasing, lotus-eyed presence, it encourages loving remembrance (smaraṇa) and focused meditation—core supports of Viṣṇu-bhakti as taught in Mokṣa-dharma passages.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught directly here; the practical takeaway is dhyāna-lakṣaṇa—using precise sacred imagery as a disciplined aid for concentration.