Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 118

Rādhā-sambaddha-mantra-vyākhyā

Rādhā-Related Mantras Explained

Devanagari script

सिंहासनेऽभितः प्रेंखत्पोतस्थाभिश्च शक्तिभिः । वृतां ताभिर्विनोदानि यातायातादिभिः सदा ॥ ११८ ॥

Transliteration

siṃhāsane'bhitaḥ preṃkhatpotasthābhiśca śaktibhiḥ | vṛtāṃ tābhirvinodāni yātāyātādibhiḥ sadā || 118 ||

Translation

Autour du siṃhāsana, le trône-lion, elle est sans cesse entourée de ces śaktis—placées sur de petites nacelles qui se balancent—qui offrent continuellement des divertissements tels que l’aller et le venir (processions et mouvements) et d’autres jeux sacrés.

Word by Word

• siṃhāsane: on the throne
• siṃhāsane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: siṃhāsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• abhitaḥ: around, on all sides
• abhitaḥ: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देश-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: abhitaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; उपसर्गार्थक-अव्यय/अव्यय-क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• preṃkhat-pota-sthābhiḥ: with (those) standing on swinging boats/cradles
• preṃkhat-pota-sthābhiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √preṃkh (प्रेंख्, धातु) → preṃkhat (कृदन्त) + pota (प्रातिपदिक) + sthā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; समासः तत्पुरुषः (‘standing/being on swinging boats/cradles’); preṃkhat = शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• śaktibhiḥ: by/with powers (śaktis)
• śaktibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• vṛtām: surrounded
• vṛtām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √vṛ (वृ, धातु) → vṛta (कृदन्त)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘surrounded/covered’

• tābhiḥ: by them
• tābhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद्, सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; सर्वनाम

• vinodāni: amusements, diversions
• vinodāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vinoda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• yāta-āyāta-ādibhiḥ: by going and coming, etc.
• yāta-āyāta-ādibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yāta (प्रातिपदिक) + āyāta (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; समासः द्वन्द्वः (yāta + āyāta) ततः ‘ādi’ (etc.)

• sadā: always
• sadā: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of time)

Speaker

Narada (narrating within the technical/royal-ritual description context to the Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: hasya

FAQs

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

It presents an emblematic scene where the central authority (the throne) is encircled by śaktis (powers), implying that sovereignty—worldly or cosmic—operates through coordinated energies that manage movement, order, and enjoyment.

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

While not directly a bhakti instruction, the imagery supports a common Purāṇic bhakti theme: the Lord’s (or the divine center’s) majesty is attended by divine powers and orderly functions, encouraging reverent contemplation of divine governance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse uses technical descriptive diction (lakṣaṇā-style enumerations like yātāyāta-ādi) typical of structured Purāṇic/śāstric narration, aligning with Vedāṅga-influenced precision in cataloging functions and attendants.