Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 139

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

गारुत्मतमयैः पत्रैर्निबिडैरुपशोभितम् । नवरत्नमयाकल्पैर्लंबमानैरलंकृतम् ॥ १३९ ॥

Transliteration

gārutmatamayaiḥ patrairnibiḍairupaśobhitam | navaratnamayākalpairlaṃbamānairalaṃkṛtam || 139 ||

Translation

Il était magnifiquement paré d’un feuillage dense comme d’émeraude, et orné de pendeloques façonnées des neuf gemmes (navaratna).

Word by Word

• gārutmata-mayaiḥ: made of gārutmata (emerald/garuḍa-gem)
• gārutmata-mayaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gārutmata (प्रातिपदिक; ‘of Garuḍa/emerald-like’) + maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (as qualifying patraiḥ), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (gārutmatena mayāni)

• patraiḥ: with leaves
• patraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: patra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• nibiḍaiḥ: dense/thick
• nibiḍaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nibiḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (as qualifying patraiḥ), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• upaśobhitam: beautifully adorned
• upaśobhitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upa√śubh (धातु) → upaśobhita (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; here agreeing with vaṭavṛkṣam (puṃ., acc. sg.)

• nava-ratna-maya-ākalpaiḥ: with ornaments made of nine gems
• nava-ratna-maya-ākalpaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nava (प्रातिपदिक) + ratna (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक) + ākalpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (ākalpa), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (nava-ratnaiḥ mayaḥ ākalpaḥ)

• lambamānaiḥ: hanging down
• lambamānaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √lamb (धातु) → lambamāna (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शानच्/Present middle participle), पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; ākalpaiḥ सह विशेषणम्

• alaṃkṛtam: decorated
• alaṃkṛtam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: alaṃ√kṛ (धातु) → alaṃkṛta (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; vaṭavṛkṣam इति कर्मपदं विशेषयति

Speaker

Narada (narrative description within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)

Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)

FAQs

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

The verse uses sacred aesthetic imagery—emerald-like foliage and navaratna ornaments—to convey auspiciousness (śubhatva) and the idea that what is connected to dharma and sacred settings is marked by beauty, order, and divine prosperity.

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

While it does not directly teach bhakti practices, it supports a bhakti-friendly worldview: divine spaces and offerings are envisioned as impeccably adorned, encouraging reverence (bhāva) and attentive worship through beauty and sanctity.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It mainly reflects alankāra-style descriptive precision rather than a specific Vedāṅga rule; indirectly, it aligns with ritual culture where knowledge of auspicious materials (ratna, ornaments) and proper adornment supports temple/worship aesthetics.