Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 132

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

वीरो विकर्णया युक्तः षण्मुखो भृकुटीयुतः । वरदो लज्जया वामदेवेशो दीर्घघोणया ॥ १३२ ॥

Transliteration

vīro vikarṇayā yuktaḥ ṣaṇmukho bhṛkuṭīyutaḥ | varado lajjayā vāmadeveśo dīrghaghoṇayā || 132 ||

Translation

Il est héroïque, uni à Vikarṇayā ; à six visages, marqué d’un sourcil froncé. Il est le dispensateur de grâces, accompagné de Lajjā (la Pudeur) ; et, comme Vāmadeveśa, il est associé à Dīrghaghoṇā.

Word by Word

• वीरः: Vīra (name)
• वीरः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• विकर्णया: with Vikarṇā
• विकर्णया: Sahakāraka/Instrument (करण/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विकर्णा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• युक्तः: joined/associated
• युक्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √युज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle)

• षण्मुखः: Ṣaṇmukha (six-faced; name)
• षण्मुखः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षट् + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः षण् मुखानि यस्य सः

• भृकुटीयुतः: accompanied by Bhṛkuṭī
• भृकुटीयुतः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भृकुटी + युत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः भृकुट्या युतः इति; युत = √यु (धातु) क्त-प्रत्ययान्त

• वरदः: Varada (boon-giver; name)
• वरदः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः वरं ददाति इति

• लज्जया: with Lajjā
• लज्जया: Sahakāraka/Instrument (करण/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लज्जा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• वामदेवेशः: Vāmadeveśa (lord of Vāmadeva; name)
• वामदेवेशः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वामदेव + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः वामदेवस्य ईशः इति

• दीर्घघोणया: with Dīrghaghoṇā
• दीर्घघोणया: Sahakāraka/Instrument (करण/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीर्घघोणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः दीर्घा घोणा यस्याः सा

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a technical/iconographic register to the Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vāmadeva (a form/epithet of Śiva)
• Ṣaṇmukha (six-faced form, iconographic epithet)
• Lajjā (personified Modesty)

FAQs

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

The verse functions as a murti-lakṣaṇa (iconographic specification): by naming forms, expressions, and attendant śaktis (like Lajjā), it guides correct contemplation and ritual visualization of the deity.

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

Bhakti here is supported through precise dhyāna (meditative visualization): the devotee focuses on recognizable divine features (six faces, knit brow, boon-giving nature) and associated qualities (modesty), making worship concrete and steady.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied technical knowledge aligned with Vedanga-era auxiliaries—especially śabda-precision (naming epithets) and ritual/temple practice—used to standardize deity descriptions for mantra, dhyāna, and installation (pratiṣṭhā).