Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 8

Mantra-Māhātmya and Sādhana of Kārtavīryārjuna

Nyāsa, Yantra, Homa, and Dīpa-Vrata

Devanagari script

पाशो मायांकुशं पद्मावर्मास्त्रे कार्तवीपदम् । रेफोवा द्यासनोऽनन्तो वह्निजौ कर्णसंस्थितौ ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

pāśo māyāṃkuśaṃ padmāvarmāstre kārtavīpadam | rephovā dyāsano'nanto vahnijau karṇasaṃsthitau || 8 ||

Translation

Dans cet agencement de nyāsa/kavaca, qu’on place le pāśa (lacet) et le māyā-aṅkuśa (aiguillon de la Māyā), le padma (lotus), le varma (armure) et l’astra (arme-mantra), ainsi que le mot «kārtavī» ; la lettre «ra» (repha) ou la syllabe «vā», «dyāsana», «ananta», et les deux syllabes d’Agni doivent être établies aux deux oreilles.

Word by Word

• pāśaḥ: noose
• pāśaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• māyā-aṃkuśam: the goad of māyā (illusion)
• māyā-aṃkuśam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māyā (प्रातिपदिक) + aṃkuśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative): 'māyāyāḥ aṃkuśaḥ'

• padmā-varma-astre: in/among the lotus, armor, and weapon
• padmā-varma-astre: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: padmā (प्रातिपदिक) + varman (प्रातिपदिक) + astra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन); समाहार-द्वन्द्व (collective): 'padmā ca varma ca astraṃ ca' (as a set)

• kārtavī-padam: the kārtavī-syllable/word
• kārtavī-padam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārtavī (प्रातिपदिक) + pada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'kārtavīyāḥ padam'

• rephaḥ: the letter 'ra' (repha)
• rephaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: repha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle/alternative marker (विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय)

• dyā-āsanaḥ: the seat of Dyā (heaven)
• dyā-āsanaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dyā (प्रातिपदिक) + āsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'dyāyāḥ āsanaḥ'

• anantaḥ: Ananta (the infinite one)
• anantaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ananta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• vahni-jau: the two fire-born ones
• vahni-jau: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vahni (प्रातिपदिक) + ja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Dual (द्विवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'vahneḥ jau' = 'born of fire' (two)

• karṇa-saṃsthitau: situated at the ears
• karṇa-saṃsthitau: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: karṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃsthita (कृदन्त; √sthā धातु)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Dual (द्विवचन); past participle (क्त) 'saṃsthita' = 'placed'; सप्तमी/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष sense: 'karṇe/karṇayoḥ saṃsthitau'

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada the technical procedure)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Ananta
• Agni (Vahni)

FAQs

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

It encodes a protective and meditative ‘mapping’ of specific mantra-terms and syllables onto the body (especially the ears), treating sound (akṣara) as a sacred technology that seals the senses and stabilizes awareness during ritual and contemplation.

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

Though technical, it supports bhakti by prescribing a disciplined mantra-protection (kavaca/nyāsa) that safeguards the devotee’s senses and concentration, making sustained remembrance and worship possible without distraction.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights mantra-vidyā grounded in akṣara-prayoga (precise use of syllables) and nyāsa (ritual placement), aligning with Vedanga-style technical discipline—especially phonetic precision (śikṣā) and formulaic application in ritual practice.