Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 140

Rādhā-sambaddha-mantra-vyākhyā

Rādhā-Related Mantras Explained

Devanagari script

त्रिनेत्रां चारुवदनां मंदस्मितमुखांबुजाम् । पाशांकुशवराभीतिलसद्भुजचतुष्टयाम् ॥ १४० ॥

Transliteration

trinetrāṃ cāruvadanāṃ maṃdasmitamukhāṃbujām | pāśāṃkuśavarābhītilasadbhujacatuṣṭayām || 140 ||

Translation

Elle est aux trois yeux, au visage charmant, au lotus de la face embelli d’un doux sourire; et elle resplendit de quatre bras lumineux portant le lacet, l’aiguillon, le geste qui accorde les dons et le geste d’absence de crainte.

Word by Word

• त्रि-नेत्राम्: three-eyed
• त्रि-नेत्राम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + नेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगुसमासः (त्रीणि नेत्राणि यस्याः)

• चारु-वदनाम्: with a beautiful face
• चारु-वदनाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चारु (प्रातिपदिक) + वदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयसमासः (चारुं वदनं यस्याः)

• मन्द-स्मित-मुख-अम्बुजाम्: whose lotus-like face has a gentle smile
• मन्द-स्मित-मुख-अम्बुजाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्द (प्रातिपदिक) + स्मित (प्रातिपदिक) + मुख (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्बुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयसमासः (मन्दस्मितं मुखाम्बुजं यस्याः)

• पाश-अङ्कुश-वर-अभीति-लसत्-भुज-चतुष्टयाम्: whose four arms shine holding noose, goad, boon, and fearlessness
• पाश-अङ्कुश-वर-अभीति-लसत्-भुज-चतुष्टयाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाश (प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्कुश (प्रातिपदिक) + वर (प्रातिपदिक) + अभीति (प्रातिपदिक) + लसत् (कृदन्त; √लस्, शतृ) + भुज (प्रातिपदिक) + चतुष्टय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहिसमासः; (यस्याः भुजचतुष्टयं पाश-अङ्कुश-वर-अभीतिभिः लसत्); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (in a descriptive/praise passage as part of instruction to the Sanatkumara brothers)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Devi (Goddess)

FAQs

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

It provides a dhyāna-style iconographic meditation: visualizing the Goddess with specific emblems (pāśa, aṅkuśa, varada, abhaya) that symbolize restraint of the mind, guidance of impulses, bestowal of grace, and protection—supporting focused devotion and mantra practice.

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

By giving a concrete form for loving contemplation—her gentle smile, lotus-face, and protective gestures—this verse turns devotion into steady remembrance (smaraṇa) and concentrated meditation (dhyāna), key supports for bhakti.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It aligns with mantra-śāstra practice used alongside Vedāṅga disciplines: precise dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (visual markers for meditation) helps correct mantra-japa and ritual visualization, a practical aid for prayoga (application) in worship.