Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 79

The Classification and Explanation of Yakṣiṇī Mantras

Kālī and Tārā Vidyās

Devanagari script

ताराद्या वह्निजायांता माया हि क्षालने मता । तारो मायाः भृगुः कर्णोविशुद्धं धर्मवर्मतः ॥ ७९ ॥

Transliteration

tārādyā vahnijāyāṃtā māyā hi kṣālane matā | tāro māyāḥ bhṛguḥ karṇoviśuddhaṃ dharmavarmataḥ || 79 ||

Translation

De Tārā jusqu’à Vahnijāyā, cet ensemble est tenu pour « Māyā » en vue de la purification (le lavage). Tārā est la (formule/mesure) appelée Māyā ; Bhṛgu est nommé Karṇa ; et la forme pure est connue sous le nom de Dharmavarma.

Word by Word

• तारा-आद्याः: beginning with ‘tārā’
• तारा-आद्याः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तारा + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (तारा आदिः येषाम्)

• वह्नि-जाय-अन्ताः: ending with ‘vahnijāyā’
• वह्नि-जाय-अन्ताः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वह्नि + जाय + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (वह्निजाया अन्तः = ending with ‘vahnijāyā’)

• माया: ‘Māyā’ (mantra-word)
• माया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; मन्त्रनाम

• हि: indeed
• हि: None (अकारक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अव्यय

• क्षालने: in washing/cleansing
• क्षालने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षालन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7 विभक्ति), एकवचन

• मता: is considered
• मता: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मन् (धातु) + त (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्ययान्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोगः—‘is considered’

• तारः: ‘Tāra’ (mantra-word)
• तारः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; मन्त्रनाम

• मायाः: of ‘Māyā’
• मायाः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6 विभक्ति), एकवचन

• भृगुः: ‘Bhṛgu’ (mantra-word)
• भृगुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृगु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; मन्त्रनाम

• कर्ण-विशुद्धम्: ear-purifying
• कर्ण-विशुद्धम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कर्ण + विशुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2 विभक्ति), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (कर्णस्य विशुद्धम् = ear-purifying)

• धर्म-वर्मतः: from/according to ‘Dharmavarma’ (name/authority)
• धर्म-वर्मतः: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: धर्म + वर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb) ‘-तः’; समासः—तत्पुरुष (धर्मवर्मन् + तः)

Speaker

Suta (narrating Narada–Sanatkumara tradition; technical listing in Vedanga context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Tara
• Bhṛgu
• Karṇa
• Dharmavarma

FAQs

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

It preserves a technical mapping of sacred names/designations used in purification contexts, showing that ritual purity is supported by precise mantra-terminology and correct identifications.

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

Indirectly: it supports Bhakti by emphasizing correct ritual and mantra usage for śuddhi (purification), which traditionally prepares the practitioner for steadier worship and remembrance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedanga-style technical nomenclature—how specific mantra names/labels (e.g., Tārā, Māyā) are used for ritual purification and how alternate designations (Bhṛgu/Karṇa, Viśuddha/Dharmavarma) are recognized.