Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34

Bhuvaneśī (Nidrā-Śakti) Mantra-vidhi, Nyāsa–Āvaraṇa Worship, Padma-homa Prayogas, and the Opening of Śrī-Mahālakṣmī Upāsanā

Devanagari script

सिंदूरसदृशाकारामुद्दाममदविभ्रमाम् । धृतरक्तोत्पलामन्यपाणिना तु ध्वजस्पृशाम् ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

siṃdūrasadṛśākārāmuddāmamadavibhramām | dhṛtaraktotpalāmanyapāṇinā tu dhvajaspṛśām || 34 ||

Translation

Elle apparut d’une forme semblable au sindūra (vermillon), se balançant d’une grâce enivrante et sans frein; tenant un lotus rouge et, de l’autre main, touchant l’étendard.

Word by Word

• siṃdūra-sadṛśa-ākārām: having a vermilion-like form
• siṃdūra-sadṛśa-ākārām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of implied devī
• Type: Adjective
• Root: siṃdūra + sadṛśa + ākāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa ‘having a form like vermilion’

• uddāma-mada-vibhramām: with unbridled intoxicated grace
• uddāma-mada-vibhramām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of implied devī
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uddāma + mada + vibhrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular; tatpuruṣa ‘having unrestrained intoxication/erotic playfulness’

• dhṛta-rakta-utpalām: holding a red lotus
• dhṛta-rakta-utpalām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of implied devī
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhṛta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + rakta + utpala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular; tatpuruṣa ‘holding a red lotus’ (dhṛta = held)

• anya-pāṇinā: with the other hand
• anya-pāṇinā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anya + pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa ‘with the other hand’

• tu: and/indeed
• tu: Sambandha/Avadhāraṇa (सम्बन्ध/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; particle (निपात) indicating contrast/emphasis

• dhvaja-spṛśām: touching a banner/flag
• dhvaja-spṛśām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of implied devī
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhvaja + spṛś (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular; tatpuruṣa ‘touching/holding a banner’ (spṛś = touching)

Speaker

Narada (narrating within the technical/Vedanga-oriented discourse to the Sanatkumara tradition context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

The verse uses auspicious, recognizable symbols—vermilion hue, red lotus, and banner—to portray a power or presence marked by prosperity, attraction, and public auspiciousness, guiding the devotee to contemplate sacred form (rūpa) as a support for devotion.

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

By presenting a vivid, contemplative image with devotional markers (lotus and standard), it supports bhakti through dhyāna—fixing the mind on sacred attributes so that devotion becomes steady and emotionally engaged.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

In a Vedanga-oriented book context, the practical takeaway is lakṣaṇa/cihna recognition—how specific attributes (utpala, dhvaja, color-signs like sindūra) function as technical identifiers in ritual, iconography, and descriptive taxonomy used in śāstric traditions.