Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 155

The Account of the Lalitā Hymn, the Protective Armor

Kavaca), and the Thousand Names (Sahasranāma

Devanagari script

स्थूलरूपा सूक्ष्मरूपा तेजोविग्रहधारिणी । वृणावृत्तिस्वरूपा च नाथावृत्तिस्वरूपिणी ॥ १५५ ॥

Transliteration

sthūlarūpā sūkṣmarūpā tejovigrahadhāriṇī | vṛṇāvṛttisvarūpā ca nāthāvṛttisvarūpiṇī || 155 ||

Translation

Elle revêt des formes à la fois grossières et subtiles; elle porte un corps de lumière, resplendissant. Elle est la nature même du mode d’expression nommé « vṛṇā-vṛtti », et de même la nature même du « nātha-vṛtti ».

Word by Word

• sthūla-rūpā: of gross form
• sthūla-rūpā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sthūla (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः ('having a gross form')

• sūkṣma-rūpā: of subtle form
• sūkṣma-rūpā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūkṣma (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः ('having a subtle form')

• tejas-vigraha-dhāriṇī: bearer of a radiant form
• tejas-vigraha-dhāriṇī: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tejas (प्रातिपदिक) + vigraha (प्रातिपदिक) + dhāriṇī (धारिणी, कृदन्त from √dhṛ धृ (धातु), णिनि-प्रत्यय)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (determinative: 'bearer of a radiant body/form')

• vṛṇā-vṛtti-svarūpā: whose nature is vṛṇā-vṛtti
• vṛṇā-vṛtti-svarūpā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vṛṇā (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛtti (प्रातिपदिक) + svarūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (determinative: 'whose nature is the vṛtti of vṛṇā')

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• nātha-vṛtti-svarūpiṇī: having the nature of nātha-vṛtti
• nātha-vṛtti-svarūpiṇī: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nātha (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛtti (प्रातिपदिक) + svarūpiṇī (स्वरूपिणी, प्रातिपदिक/तद्धित)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः ('having the nature of nātha-vṛtti')

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a Vedanga/technical context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Devi (as Shakti/Vak principle)

FAQs

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

It presents the divine principle (often understood as Vak/Shakti) as simultaneously manifest and subtle, showing that sacred knowledge operates both as outer form (sound/ritual expression) and inner light (meaning/consciousness).

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

By emphasizing luminous divine presence within speech and expression, it implies that devotion is not only emotion but also disciplined sacred articulation—praise, mantra, and remembrance that carry both form and inner intent.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It points to Vyakarana-style functional analysis (vṛtti), indicating that correct modes of usage and interpretation are essential for preserving meaning and ensuring mantric/ritual precision.