Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 133

The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca

Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta

Devanagari script

कार्तवीर्यः खलद्वेषी कृतवीर्यसुतो बली । सहस्रबाहुः शत्रुघ्नो रक्तवासा धनुर्धरः ॥ १३३ ॥

Transliteration

kārtavīryaḥ khaladveṣī kṛtavīryasuto balī | sahasrabāhuḥ śatrughno raktavāsā dhanurdharaḥ || 133 ||

Translation

Kārtavīrya — qui hait les méchants, puissant fils de Kṛtavīrya — était l’Être aux mille bras, le pourfendeur des ennemis, vêtu de rouge et porteur de l’arc.

Word by Word

• कार्तवीर्यः: Kārtavīrya
• कार्तवीर्यः: कर्ता (Kartā/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्तवीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम्; नाम (proper name)

• खल-द्वेषी: hater of the wicked
• खल-द्वेषी: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: खल (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वेषिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (खलान् द्वेष्टि)

• कृतवीर्य-सुतः: son of Kṛtavīrya
• कृतवीर्य-सुतः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृतवीर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (कृतवीर्यस्य सुतः)

• बली: mighty
• बली: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• सहस्र-बाहुः: having a thousand arms
• सहस्र-बाहुः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक) + बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; बहुव्रीहिः (यस्यानि सहस्रं बाहवः)

• शत्रु-घ्नः: slayer of enemies
• शत्रु-घ्नः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शत्रु (प्रातिपदिक) + घ्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (शत्रून् हन्ति)

• रक्त-वासा: wearing red garments
• रक्त-वासा: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + वासस्/वासा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; बहुव्रीहिः (यस्यानि रक्तानि वासांसि)

• धनुः-धरः: bow-bearer
• धनुः-धरः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धनुस् (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (धनुः धरति)

Speaker

Sūta (narrating Purāṇic material; dialogue-frame traditionally traces back to Nārada’s transmission)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Kārtavīrya
• Kṛtavīrya

FAQs

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

It presents an idealized Kṣatriya profile—strength used to oppose wickedness (khala-dveṣī) and protect order (śatrughna)—a dharmic template that Purāṇas use to illustrate righteous governance aligned with cosmic law.

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

While not directly teaching bhakti, it supports bhakti’s social foundation: when rulers restrain evil and uphold dharma, sacred practices—Vishnu worship, vows (vrata), and study—can be performed without obstruction.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse mainly uses lakṣaṇa-style epithets (descriptive markers) typical of Purāṇic cataloging; it is not a direct Vedāṅga lesson, but it reflects disciplined usage of compounds and titles that align with Vyākaraṇa-informed Sanskrit expression.