Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 125

Rādhā-sambaddha-mantra-vyākhyā

Rādhā-Related Mantras Explained

Devanagari script

शुचिस्मितामष्टभुजा स्तूयमानां महर्षिभिः । पाशं खेटं गदां रत्नचषकं वामबाहुभिः ॥ १२५ ॥

Transliteration

śucismitāmaṣṭabhujā stūyamānāṃ maharṣibhiḥ | pāśaṃ kheṭaṃ gadāṃ ratnacaṣakaṃ vāmabāhubhiḥ || 125 ||

Translation

Souriant d’une pure clarté, aux huit bras, louée par les grands rishis, elle tenait dans ses mains gauches un lacet (pāśa), une épée, une massue et une coupe sertie de joyaux.

Word by Word

• शुचि-स्मिताम्: with a pure smile
• शुचि-स्मिताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक) + स्मित (कृदन्त; √स्मि/√स्मित्, past participle sense)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—‘pure/bright smile’; विशेषणम्

• अष्ट-भुजा: eight-armed
• अष्ट-भुजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अष्ट (प्रातिपदिक) + भुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of the देवी)

• स्तूयमानाम्: being praised
• स्तूयमानाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √स्तु (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि (passive) शानच्/मान (present passive participle) स्त्रीलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचन; ‘being praised’

• महर्षिभिः: by great sages
• महर्षिभिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महर्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया बहुवचन; करण/कर्तृ (agent in passive)

• पाशम्: noose
• पाशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचन; कर्म

• खेटम्: shield
• खेटम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खेट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचन; कर्म

• गदाम्: mace
• गदाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गदा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचन; कर्म

• रत्न-चषकम्: a jeweled cup
• रत्न-चषकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न (प्रातिपदिक) + चषक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचन; कर्म

• वाम-बाहुभिः: with the left hands
• वाम-बाहुभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम (प्रातिपदिक) + बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया बहुवचन; करण—‘with the left arms/hands’

Speaker

Narada (narration within the dialogue framework with Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

FAQs

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

It functions as a dhyāna-style description: the deity’s pure smile and being praised by ṛṣis establishes auspiciousness, while the weapons and implements indicate divine protection, restraint of negativity, and bestowal of blessings for ritual success.

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

Bhakti here is expressed through reverent visualization and praise (stuti). The verse models how devotees contemplate the deity’s form and attributes as part of worship, strengthening single-pointed devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual application (Kalpa-oriented practice) is implied through dhyāna and iconographic precision—knowing the deity’s attributes and hand-held symbols supports correct pūjā procedure and mantra-based meditation.