Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

Kṛṣṇādi-mantra-varga-varṇana

Classification of Krishna and Related Mantras

Devanagari script

पाणौ पायसपक्वं च दक्षे हैयंगवीनकम् । वामे दधद्दिव्यदिगंबरो गोपीसुतोऽवतु ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

pāṇau pāyasapakvaṃ ca dakṣe haiyaṃgavīnakam | vāme dadhaddivyadigaṃbaro gopīsuto'vatu || 18 ||

Translation

Que Śrī Kṛṣṇa, fils de la gopī, revêtu d’un vêtement divin semblable au ciel, nous protège : tenant en sa main le payasa (riz au lait sacré), dans sa droite le beurre frais du matin (haiyaṅgavīna), et dans sa gauche le caillé (dadhi).

Word by Word

• पाणौ: in the hand
• पाणौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरण (locative)

• पायसपक्वम्: rice-milk preparation (cooked sweet)
• पायसपक्वम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पायस + पक्व (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-विशेषण)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पायसेन पक्वम् = cooked in rice-milk)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• दक्षे: in the right (hand)
• दक्षे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• हैयंगवीनकम्: fresh butter (morning-made)
• हैयंगवीनकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हैयंगवीनक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• वामे: in the left (hand)
• वामे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• दधत्: holding
• दधत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धा (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ/Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• दिव्यदिगम्बरः: wearing divine directions as garment (sky-clad)
• दिव्यदिगम्बरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिव्य + दिक् + अम्बर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st), एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः (दिव्यं दिगम्बरं यस्य/दिव्य-दिगम्बरः)

• गोपीसुतः: son of the gopī
• गोपीसुतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोपी + सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गोपीणां सुतः)

• अवतु: may (he) protect
• अवतु: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative/benedictive sense), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (as a concluding/benedictory verse within the Narada Purana’s discourse tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Gopi

FAQs

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

It is a protective benediction (avatu) invoking Śrī Kṛṣṇa through intimate pastoral offerings—pāyasa, butter, and curd—signifying loving devotion that sanctifies food, senses, and daily life.

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

Bhakti is shown as personal, affectionate remembrance of the Lord in a relatable form (Gopīsuta). The verse centers on simple offerings and loving visualization rather than abstract speculation, aligning devotion with constant smaraṇa (remembrance).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

While not a technical Vedāṅga instruction, it reflects ritual culture around naivedya (food offering) and mantra-style protective prayer—practical devotional application often accompanying Śikṣā/Chandas-based recitation and daily worship.