Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 166

Rādhā-sambaddha-mantra-vyākhyā

Rādhā-Related Mantras Explained

Devanagari script

चारुस्मितलसद्वक्त्रषट्सरोजविराजिताम् । प्रतिवक्त्रं त्रिनयनां भुजैर्द्वादशभिर्युताम् ॥ १६६ ॥

Transliteration

cārusmitalasadvaktraṣaṭsarojavirājitām | prativaktraṃ trinayanāṃ bhujairdvādaśabhiryutām || 166 ||

Translation

Elle resplendissait de six visages pareils à des lotus, rayonnants de sourires gracieux ; sur chaque visage elle portait trois yeux, et elle était pourvue de douze bras.

Word by Word

• चारुस्मितलसद्वक्त्रषट्सरोजविराजिताम्: adorned with six lotus-like faces, shining with a lovely smile
• चारुस्मितलसद्वक्त्रषट्सरोजविराजिताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चारु + स्मित + लसत् (लस् + शतृ, कृदन्त) + वक्त्र + षट् + सरोज + विराजित (वि-राज् + क्त, कृदन्त) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; ‘adorned with six lotus(-like) faces shining with a lovely smile’ (multi-member descriptive)

• प्रतिवक्त्रम्: for each face
• प्रतिवक्त्रम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति (अव्यय) + वक्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव; क्रियाविशेषण/विशेषणार्थे: ‘for each face / per face’

• त्रिनयनाम्: three-eyed
• त्रिनयनाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि + नयन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; qualifies the देवी

• भुजैः: with arms
• भुजैः: Sahakari (सहकारी/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; instrumental of accompaniment

• द्वादशभिः: twelve
• द्वादशभिः: Sahakari (सहकारी/सह)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वादश (संख्याशब्द-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; numeral agreeing with भुजैः

• युताम्: endowed with
• युताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युत (युज् + क्त, कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; ‘endowed/possessed’

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Devi (multi-faced, three-eyed goddess form)

FAQs

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

The verse functions as a dhyāna (meditative visualization) marker: contemplating a multi-faced, three-eyed, many-armed divine form steadies the mind and aligns worship with śāstric iconography, making the ritual and mantra-practice more focused and potent.

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

Bhakti here is expressed through attentive remembrance (smaraṇa) and visualization (dhyāna) of the deity’s auspicious attributes—smiling lotus-like faces, tri-netra awareness, and many arms symbolizing divine capability—helping the devotee cultivate reverence and one-pointedness.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights practical upāsanā-vidhi used in ritual manuals: accurate dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (iconographic specification) that supports correct mantra application and ceremonial procedure—an applied, technical aspect often paired with śikṣā (recitation discipline) and kalpa (ritual method).