Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 177

The Exposition of the Krishna Mantra (Kṛṣṇa-mantra-prakāśa): Nyāsa, Dhyāna, Worship, Yantra, and Prayoga

Devanagari script

अनारतगलद्रत्नधाराढ्यस्वस्तस्तरोरधः । रत्नप्रदीपावलिभिः प्रदीपितदिगंतरे ॥ १७७ ॥

Transliteration

anāratagaladratnadhārāḍhyasvastastaroradhaḥ | ratnapradīpāvalibhiḥ pradīpitadigaṃtare || 177 ||

Translation

Sous l’arbre propice Kalpavṛkṣa, riche de flots de gemmes ruisselant sans cesse, les intervalles entre les directions étaient éclairés par des rangées de lampes de joyaux.

Word by Word

• anārata-galat-ratna-dhārā-āḍhya-svastasta-roḥ: of the auspicious tree rich with incessantly dripping streams of jewels
• anārata-galat-ratna-dhārā-āḍhya-svastasta-roḥ: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anārata + galat (कृदन्त, √gal) + ratna + dhārā + āḍhya + svastasta + taru (प्रातिपदिकानि)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन); समासः—तत्पुरुषः; ‘galat’ = वर्तमानकृदन्त (present participle) ‘dripping’ used adjectivally; taroḥ = ‘of the tree’

• adhaḥ: below
• adhaḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: adhaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (स्थानवाचक अव्यय)

• ratna-pradīpa-āvalibhiḥ: by rows of jewel-lamps
• ratna-pradīpa-āvalibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratna + pradīpa + āvali (प्रातिपदिकानि)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); समासः—तत्पुरुषः

• pradīpita-dik-antare: in the illuminated space between the directions (all around)
• pradīpita-dik-antare: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pradīpita (कृदन्त, √dīp caus./प्रदीपय्) + dik + antara (प्रातिपदिकानि)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); समासः—तत्पुरुषः; pradīpita = भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle) ‘illuminated’

Speaker

Narada (narrating/teaching within the Adhyaya’s description)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It portrays an idealized sacred environment—abundance (gems), auspiciousness (svasta), and illumination (pradīpita)—symbolizing a dharmic realm where prosperity is harmonized with spiritual radiance.

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

Though not explicitly naming Bhakti, the imagery of continuous brilliance and auspiciousness mirrors the devotional ideal: the heart-space becomes “lit in all directions” when worship and remembrance are steady and uninterrupted.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse uses precise spatial language (dig-aṃtara, “between the directions”), reflecting the technical concern for orientation and layout found in Vedic ritual planning and allied disciplines (e.g., directional sanctity in ceremonial arrangement).