Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

Rādhā-sambaddha-mantra-vyākhyā

Rādhā-Related Mantras Explained

Devanagari script

शैब्या वृन्दा श्रीधराख्या सर्वास्तुत्तुल्यविग्रहाः । सुशीलाप्रमुखा श्चान्याः सख्यो द्वात्रिंशदीरिताः ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

śaibyā vṛndā śrīdharākhyā sarvāstuttulyavigrahāḥ | suśīlāpramukhā ścānyāḥ sakhyo dvātriṃśadīritāḥ || 11 ||

Translation

Śaibyā, Vṛndā et celle qu’on appelle Śrīdharā—avec toutes les autres au corps également excellent—telles que Suśīlā et les restantes—sont dites être trente-deux compagnes (sakhīs).

Word by Word

• शैब्या: Śaibyā
• शैब्या: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शैब्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; नाम

• वृन्दा: Vṛndā
• वृन्दा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृन्दा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; नाम

• श्रीधराख्या: (one) named Śrīdhara
• श्रीधराख्या: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीधर + आख्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (‘श्रीधर’ इति आख्या/नाम यस्याः)

• सर्वाः: all
• सर्वाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifier of sakhyaḥ understood)

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), विशेषार्थक

• तुल्यविग्रहाः: having similar forms
• तुल्यविग्रहाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य + विग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (तुल्यः विग्रहः/देहः यस्याः)

• सुशीला-प्रमुखाः: those headed by Suśīlā
• सुशीला-प्रमुखाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुशीला + प्रमुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (सुशीला प्रमुखा येषां ताः)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अन्याः: others
• अन्याः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘other’ (qualifier)

• सख्यः: friends (female companions)
• सख्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सखी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• द्वात्रिंशत्: thirty-two
• द्वात्रिंशत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वात्रिंशत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्याशब्दः (numeral), अत्र प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचनार्थे संख्याविशेषणम्

• ईरिताः: are stated
• ईरिताः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ईर्/ईरय् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘are mentioned/declared’

Speaker

Sage Nārada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumāra tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Śaibyā
• Vṛndā
• Śrīdharā
• Suśīlā

FAQs

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

It sanctifies remembrance through precise naming and counting—presenting a revered list of thirty-two sakhīs, a common Purāṇic method for devotional recollection (smaraṇa) and liturgical recitation.

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

Bhakti is supported here through nāma-smaraṇa and guṇa-kīrtana: the companions are described as equally praiseworthy in form, encouraging reverent contemplation and recitation of sacred names as an act of devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse reflects the Purāṇic-anukramaṇī style of structured cataloguing (useful for ritual recitation and textual organization), aligning with technical disciplines that preserve correct lists, counts, and name-forms.