Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 142

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

नासाग्रालोकनपरं वीरासनसमास्थितम् । भद्राटके कुरंगाढ्यजानुस्थकरपल्लवम् ॥ १४२ ॥

Transliteration

nāsāgrālokanaparaṃ vīrāsanasamāsthitam | bhadrāṭake kuraṃgāḍhyajānusthakarapallavam || 142 ||

Translation

Assis avec stabilité dans la posture du vīrāsana, il demeurait attentif au regard posé sur la pointe du nez ; établi dans la bhadrā-āsana propice, il déposait ses mains, tendres comme des pousses, sur des genoux fermes comme l’attitude du cerf.

Word by Word

• नासा-अग्र-आलोकन-परम्: intent on gazing at the tip of the nose
• नासा-अग्र-आलोकन-परम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नासा (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आलोकन (प्रातिपदिक) + पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (नासाग्रे आलोकने परः)

• वीर-आसन-समास्थितम्: firmly seated in vīrāsana posture
• वीर-आसन-समास्थितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक) + आसन (प्रातिपदिक) + समास्थित (कृदन्त; √स्था (धातु) सम्-उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (वीरासने सम्यक् आस्थितः)

• भद्र-आटके: in the auspicious seat/bench (bhadrāṭaka)
• भद्र-आटके: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आटक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (भद्रः आटकः)

• कुरङ्ग-आढ्य-जानु-स्थ-कर-पल्लवम्: with tender hands resting on knees adorned with deer-skin/with deer
• कुरङ्ग-आढ्य-जानु-स्थ-कर-पल्लवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुरङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक) + जानु (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक) + पल्लव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (कुरङ्गैः आढ्ये/सम्पन्ने जानुनि स्थौ करौ, तयोः पल्लववत् कोमलत्वं यस्य)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada on yogic discipline within Vedanga-oriented teachings)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It prescribes a stable meditative seat and a focused gaze (nāsāgra-dṛṣṭi) to restrain distraction, making the mind fit for dhyāna and higher knowledge taught in the Purāṇa’s technical (Book 1.3) context.

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

Though the verse is yogic in form, its purpose is supportive: steadiness of posture and attention helps one sustain single-pointed remembrance (smaraṇa) and contemplation, which strengthens devotional absorption when directed toward Viṣṇu.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights practical sādhanā methodology—discipline of body and senses (āsana and gaze-control) used as a technical aid to concentration, aligning with the Third Pada’s emphasis on structured, teachable practices.