Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 150

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

लोहितोग्र्यासनः सद्यो बिंदुमान्प्रथमं ततः । द्वितीयं वह्निबीजस्था दीर्घा शांतीन्दुभूषिता ॥ १५० ॥

Transliteration

lohitogryāsanaḥ sadyo biṃdumānprathamaṃ tataḥ | dvitīyaṃ vahnibījasthā dīrghā śāṃtīndubhūṣitā || 150 ||

Translation

Assis sur l’āsana rouge et redoutable, qu’on énonce aussitôt la première forme, pourvue du point nasal (bindu). Puis qu’on énonce la seconde, établie dans la « semence du feu » ; elle est prolongée (dīrgha), marquée du śānti et ornée du signe semblable à la lune.

Word by Word

• लोहित-उग्र्यासनः: (the first) having a reddish fierce seat/posture
• लोहित-उग्र्यासनः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोहित + उग्र्यासन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः

• सद्यः: immediately
• सद्यः: Kriyavisheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सद्यः (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक-क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of time)

• बिन्दुमान्: possessing a bindu (dot/seed-point)
• बिन्दुमान्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बिन्दुमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त; विशेषण

• प्रथमम्: the first (one)
• प्रथमम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रथम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative) एकवचन; क्रमवाचक-विशेषण

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Sambandha/Sequence (सम्बन्ध/क्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रम/अनन्तरवाचक (then/thereafter)

• द्वितीयम्: the second (one)
• द्वितीयम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वितीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative) एकवचन; क्रमवाचक-विशेषण

• वह्नि-बीज-स्था: situated in the fire-seed
• वह्नि-बीज-स्था: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वह्नि + बीज + स्था (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण; ‘वह्निबीजे स्थिता’ इति (locative-tatpurusha sense)

• दीर्घा: long/extended
• दीर्घा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीर्घ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• शान्ति-इन्दु-भूषिता: adorned with the moon of peace
• शान्ति-इन्दु-भूषिता: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्ति + इन्दु + भूषित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √भूष्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); ‘शान्त्यिन्दुना भूषिता’ इति (instrumental-tatpurusha sense)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada the technical rules of Śikṣā/phonetics)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It stresses that mantra-power depends on precise phonetic form—bindu, length (dīrgha), and prescribed markers—so ritual and meditation bear fruit only when sound is produced correctly.

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

Bhakti in the Purāṇic tradition is supported by correct japa and mantra-recitation; this verse frames devotion as disciplined worship where pronunciation safeguards the intended meaning and efficacy.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Śikṣā (Vedāṅga phonetics): guidance on articulation features such as bindu (nasalization/anusvāra), dīrgha (vowel lengthening), and auxiliary recitation markers used to preserve accurate chanting.