Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

Mantra-Māhātmya and Sādhana of Kārtavīryārjuna

Nyāsa, Yantra, Homa, and Dīpa-Vrata

Devanagari script

उद्यद्रर्कसहस्राभं सर्वभूपतिवन्दितम् । दोर्भिः पञ्चाशता दक्षैर्बाणान्वामैर्धनूंषि च ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

udyadrarkasahasrābhaṃ sarvabhūpativanditam | dorbhiḥ pañcāśatā dakṣairbāṇānvāmairdhanūṃṣi ca || 17 ||

Translation

Flamboyant comme mille soleils levant, vénéré par tous les rois, il portait cinquante bras habiles : des flèches dans les mains droites et des arcs dans les mains gauches.

Word by Word

• उद्यत्: rising
• उद्यत्: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद् + यत् (धातु) → उद्यत् (कृदन्त, शतृ)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समासे), ‘rising’ (qualifies अर्क)

• अर्कसहस्राभम्: having the radiance of a thousand suns
• अर्कसहस्राभम्: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्क + सहस्र + आभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; accusative singular; ‘having the splendor of a thousand suns’ (qualifies implied object, i.e., कार्तवीर्यम्)

• सर्वभूपतिवन्दितम्: worshipped by all kings
• सर्वभूपतिवन्दितम्: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + भूपति + वन्दित (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘worshipped by all kings’

• दोर्भिः: with arms
• दोर्भिः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दोर्/दोरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (दोर्), तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; instrumental plural; ‘with arms’

• पञ्चाशता: with fifty
• पञ्चाशता: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्चाशत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; instrumental singular used as measure; ‘by/with fifty (arms)’

• दक्षैः: right (hands/arms)
• दक्षैः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; instrumental plural; ‘right (ones)’ qualifying (arms/hands)

• बाणान्: arrows
• बाणान्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; accusative plural; object (held)

• वामैः: left (hands/arms)
• वामैः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; instrumental plural; ‘left (ones)’ qualifying (arms/hands)

• धनूंषि: bows
• धनूंषि: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; accusative plural

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

Speaker

Narada (narrative voice within the Purāṇic description; dialogue context traditionally framed with Sanatkumāra lineage teachings)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It emphasizes tejas (divine radiance) and aiśvarya (sovereign majesty): the being described is portrayed as universally revered and superhumanly capable, indicating a divinely empowered protector rather than an ordinary warrior.

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

By presenting an awe-inspiring, worship-worthy form—radiant and honored by rulers—it naturally directs the mind toward śraddhā (reverent faith) and stuti (praise), foundational attitudes that support bhakti in Purāṇic practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse primarily serves as a lakṣaṇa-style description (defining marks) useful for traditional iconographic identification; it is not a direct teaching on a specific Vedāṅga like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa, but it aligns with technical cataloging of forms found in Purāṇic tradition.