Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 94

Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa

The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala

Devanagari script

विकीर्णकेशीमालोललोचनामरुणारुणाम् । वायुप्रेंखत्पताकास्थपदा पद्मकलेवराम् ॥ ९४ ॥

Transliteration

vikīrṇakeśīmālolalocanāmaruṇāruṇām | vāyupreṃkhatpatākāsthapadā padmakalevarām || 94 ||

Translation

Ses cheveux étaient dénoués et épars; ses yeux, agités et vacillants; et elle rayonnait d’une rougeur profonde. Ses pieds reposaient sur des étendards flottant, bercés par le vent, et son corps avait la forme et l’éclat du lotus.

Word by Word

• vikīrṇa-keśīm: (her) with dishevelled hair
• vikīrṇa-keśīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vikīrṇa (कृदन्त, √kṝ/कॄ 'to scatter') + keśinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन); कर्मधारय-समासः—'vikīrṇāḥ keśāḥ yasyāḥ sā' (having scattered hair)

• ālola-locanā: with wavering eyes
• ālola-locanā: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ālola (प्रातिपदिक) + locanā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; कर्मधारयः—'ālolaṃ locanaṃ yasyāḥ sā' (having unsteady/rolling eyes)

• aruṇa-aruṇām: deeply reddish
• aruṇa-aruṇām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aruṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + aruṇā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; कर्मधारयः—intensified redness (very red)

• vāyu-preṃkhat-patākā-stha-padā: whose feet rest on a wind-swaying banner
• vāyu-preṃkhat-patākā-stha-padā: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāyu (प्रातिपदिक) + preṃkhat (कृदन्त, √prakh/प्रख् 'to swing'—present participle) + patākā (प्रातिपदिक) + stha (कृदन्त, √sthā/स्था 'to stand') + padā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; तत्पुरुष-समासः—'vāyunā preṃkhatyāḥ patākāyāḥ sthāni padāni yasyāḥ sā' (whose feet are on a banner/flag swaying in the wind)

• padma-kalevarām: having a lotus-like body
• padma-kalevarām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: padma (प्रातिपदिक) + kalevara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; तत्पुरुषः—'padmasya kalevaram iva' (lotus-like body)

Speaker

Narada (describing a divine/ritual visualization within the Sanatkumara dialogue framework)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It functions as a dhyāna-style portrayal: vivid sensory details steady the mind, turning attention from distraction to a concentrated, worshipful vision suitable for mantra-japa and ritual contemplation.

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

By giving a concrete, emotionally charged depiction of the revered form, it supports bhakti through remembrance (smaraṇa) and focused visualization, making devotion practical and immediate during worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It aligns with ritual application—using prescribed imagery for dhyāna in worship—supporting the technical side of practice often paired with Vedāṅga disciplines (especially śikṣā for correct recitation and kalpa-style ritual procedure).