Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 73

The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances

Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi

Devanagari script

श्यामरङ्गां चतुर्हस्तां शङ्खचक्रलसत्कराम् । गदापद्मधारां देवीं सूर्यासनकृताश्रयाम् ॥ ७३ ॥

Transliteration

śyāmaraṅgāṃ caturhastāṃ śaṅkhacakralasatkarām | gadāpadmadhārāṃ devīṃ sūryāsanakṛtāśrayām || 73 ||

Translation

Qu’on médite sur la Déesse, au teint sombre et aux quatre bras ; dont les mains brillent de la conque et du disque ; portant la massue et le lotus, et siégeant sur un trône solaire.

Word by Word

• श्यामरङ्गाम्: dark-complexioned
• श्यामरङ्गाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्याम-रङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (feminine, Accusative singular)

• चतुर्हस्ताम्: four-armed
• चतुर्हस्ताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर्-हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; संख्यापूर्वक-समास, विशेषण (feminine, Accusative singular)

• शङ्खचक्रलसत्कराम्: whose hands shine with conch and discus
• शङ्खचक्रलसत्कराम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शङ्ख-चक्र-लसत्-कर (प्रातिपदिक; शङ्ख + चक्र + लसत् + कर)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘लसत्’ (कृदन्त, shining) उपपद; विशेषण (feminine, Accusative singular)

• गदापद्मधाराम्: bearing a mace and a lotus
• गदापद्मधाराम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गदा-पद्म-धार (प्रातिपदिक; गदा + पद्म + धार)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (feminine, Accusative singular)

• देवीम्: the goddess
• देवीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन (feminine, Accusative singular)

• सूर्यासनकृताश्रयाम्: seated upon the sun-throne (having taken that seat)
• सूर्यासनकृताश्रयाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सूर्य-आसन-कृत-आश्रय (प्रातिपदिक; सूर्य + आसन + कृत + आश्रय)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘कृताश्रय’ = having taken refuge/sitting upon; विशेषण (feminine, Accusative singular)

Speaker

Narada (instructional narration within a technical/ritual context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Devi

FAQs

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

It gives a precise dhyāna (meditative iconography) of the Devī—color, number of arms, emblems, and seat—so the worshipper’s mind becomes steady and one-pointed before mantra and ritual proceed.

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

Bhakti here is expressed as contemplative remembrance: visualizing the deity’s form and attributes (āyudha and āsana) nurtures reverence and intimate devotion, making worship heartfelt rather than merely procedural.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects ritual-technical practice used in mantra-śāstra and kalpa-style procedure: a dhyāna-śloka that standardizes visualization prior to japa and pūjā, ensuring correct form (rūpa) and focused recitation.