Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

Kṛṣṇādi-mantra-varga-varṇana

Classification of Krishna and Related Mantras

Devanagari script

विंशत्यर्णोदितजपध्यानहोमार्चनादिकम् । किं बहूक्तेन मंत्रोऽयं सर्वाभीष्टफलप्रदः ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

viṃśatyarṇoditajapadhyānahomārcanādikam | kiṃ bahūktena maṃtro'yaṃ sarvābhīṣṭaphalapradaḥ || 11 ||

Translation

Ce mantra prescrit la japa, la méditation, le homa, l’adoration (arcana) et autres pratiques, telles qu’enseignées par la formule de vingt syllabes. Que dire de plus ? Ce mantra accorde tous les fruits désirés.

Word by Word

• विंशति-अर्ण-उदित-जप-ध्यान-होम-अर्चन-आदिकम्: (the regimen) such as japa, meditation, homa, worship etc. for the 20-syllabled (mantra)
• विंशति-अर्ण-उदित-जप-ध्यान-होम-अर्चन-आदिकम्: Karma/Viṣaya (कर्म/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṃśati + arṇa + udita + japa + dhyāna + homa + arcana + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neut), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (nom/acc), एकवचन (sg); बहुपद-तत्पुरुष समाहारार्थ (collective): 'the set beginning with japa, dhyāna, homa, arcana as prescribed for the 20-syllabled (mantra)'

• किम्: what (need)
• किम्: Prayojana/Alam (प्रयोजन/अलम्)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययप्राय (interrogative particle used idiomatically)

• बहु-उक्तेन: with many words (by much speaking)
• बहु-उक्तेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bahu + ukta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neut), तृतीया (instr), एकवचन (sg); कर्मधारय: 'much-said' = 'many words'

• मन्त्रः: the mantra
• मन्त्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc), प्रथमा (nom), एकवचन (sg)

• अयम्: this
• अयम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम (pronoun) used adjectivally; पुंलिङ्ग (masc), प्रथमा (nom), एकवचन (sg)

• सर्व-अभीष्ट-फल-प्रदः: bestowing all desired results
• सर्व-अभीष्ट-फल-प्रदः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + abhīṣṭa + phala + prada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc), प्रथमा (nom), एकवचन (sg); बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: 'sarvāṇi abhīṣṭāni phalāni pradāti'

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It summarizes mantra-sādhana as a complete discipline—japa, meditation, homa, and worship—asserting that a properly taught mantra becomes a comprehensive means to attain one’s intended spiritual and worldly aims.

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

By listing arcana (devotional worship) alongside japa and dhyāna, it presents bhakti as practice-based devotion—regular remembrance and worship empowered by mantra—leading to fulfillment of the devotee’s sincere aspirations.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects the applied, technical side of mantra practice—correct syllabic formulation (arṇa), disciplined recitation (japa), and ritual procedure (homa/arcana), aligning with Vedāṅga-style precision in sacred sound and rites.