Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16

Yakṣiṇī-Mantra-Sādhana Nirūpaṇa

Lakṣmī-avatāra-vidyāḥ: Bālā, Annapūrṇā, Bagalā

Devanagari script

षड्दीर्घस्वरयुक्तेन ततो देवीं विचिंतयेत् । ध्यायेद्रक्तसरोजस्थां रक्तवस्त्रां त्रिलोचनम् ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

ṣaḍdīrghasvarayuktena tato devīṃ viciṃtayet | dhyāyedraktasarojasthāṃ raktavastrāṃ trilocanam || 16 ||

Translation

Ensuite, avec le mantra pourvu de six voyelles longues, qu’on contemple la Déesse. Qu’on médite sur Elle, assise sur un lotus rouge, vêtue de rouge, et pourvue de trois yeux.

Word by Word

• षट्-दीर्घ-स्वर-युक्तेन: with (the mantra) having six long vowels
• षट्-दीर्घ-स्वर-युक्तेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: षट् + दीर्घ + स्वर + युक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; करण (instrumental): ‘with that which is furnished with six long vowels’

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रम/अनन्तर (then/thereafter)

• देवीम्: the Goddess
• देवीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; कर्म

• विचिन्तयेत्: should contemplate
• विचिन्तयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + चिन्त् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ध्यायेत्: should meditate
• ध्यायेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ध्यै (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• रक्त-सरोज-स्थाम्: standing in a red lotus
• रक्त-सरोज-स्थाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्त + सरोज + स्था (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (of देवीम्): ‘standing in a red lotus’

• रक्त-वस्त्राम्: wearing red clothes
• रक्त-वस्त्राम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्त + वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि-विशेषण (of देवीम्): ‘having red garments’

• त्रि-लोचनाम्: three-eyed
• त्रि-लोचनाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि + लोचना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि-विशेषण (of देवीम्): ‘three-eyed’

Speaker

Narada (in instruction-dialogue context with Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Devī

FAQs

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

It links correct mantra-sound (six long vowels) with inner visualization, teaching that precise phonetics and focused dhyāna together make worship effective and spiritually transformative.

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

Bhakti here is expressed as loving, steady contemplation of the Devī’s form—red-lotus seat, red attire, and three eyes—so the mind becomes absorbed in the chosen deity (iṣṭa-devatā).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Śikṣā (Vedic phonetics) is emphasized: the instruction about “six long vowels” underlines that vowel-length and sound-precision are essential in mantra recitation.