Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 99

Mantra-Māhātmya and Sādhana of Kārtavīryārjuna

Nyāsa, Yantra, Homa, and Dīpa-Vrata

Devanagari script

दीपज्वाला समा सिद्ध्यै वक्रा निशविधायिनी । शब्दा भयदा कर्तुरुज्ज्वला सुखदा मता ॥ ९९ ॥

Transliteration

dīpajvālā samā siddhyai vakrā niśavidhāyinī | śabdā bhayadā karturujjvalā sukhadā matā || 99 ||

Translation

La flamme de la lampe, égale et stable, mène à la réussite. La flamme courbée ou vacillante annonce le malheur. La flamme qui crépite ou fait du bruit apporte la crainte à l’officiant; mais la flamme claire et rayonnante est tenue pour dispensatrice de joie.

Word by Word

• दीपज्वाला: the lamp-flame
• दीपज्वाला: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्वाला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; तत्पुरुष ‘lamp-flame’

• समा: even/steady
• समा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative Singular; agrees with दीपज्वाला

• सिद्ध्यै: for success/accomplishment
• सिद्ध्यै: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Recipient-Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• वक्रा: crooked/curved
• वक्रा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative Singular; agrees with दीपज्वाला

• निशविधायिनी: bringing night/darkness
• निशविधायिनी: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निशा (प्रातिपदिक) + विधायिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative Singular; तत्पुरुष ‘causing night/darkness’ (as transmitted: निश- = निशा)

• शब्दा: sound/noise
• शब्दा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular/Plural form; here used as Nominative Singular feminine? (as transmitted); taken as Nominative Singular/Plural ‘sound(s)’

• भयदा: fear-giving
• भयदा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक) + द (प्रातिपदिक from दा धातु)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative Singular; तत्पुरुष ‘giving fear’

• कर्तुः: of the doer/performer
• कर्तुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• उज्ज्वला: bright
• उज्ज्वला: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उज्ज्वल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative Singular; predicate/qualifier

• सुखदा: happiness-giving
• सुखदा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक) + द (प्रातिपदिक from दा धातु)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative Singular; तत्पुरुष ‘giving happiness’

• मता: is considered
• मता: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मन् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/PPP) from √मन् ‘to think/consider’; Feminine, Nominative Singular; ‘considered’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Vedanga/technical-omens context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It teaches nimitta (omen) reading during worship: steadiness and brightness in the lamp signify harmony and successful completion, while wavering or noisy flame indicates inner/outer disturbance that can obstruct the rite.

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

Bhakti is supported by attentive, orderly worship; the lamp’s behavior is presented as a practical sign to refine one’s focus, remove fear, and proceed with devotion in an auspicious manner.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied ritual-knowledge (prayoga) and nimitta interpretation used alongside Vedic practice—observing the dīpa (lamp) during pūjā/yajña to judge auspiciousness and adjust conduct or timing.