Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 174

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

रुद्रांकुशेन शमय प्रवेशययुगं ततः । आवेशययुगं पश्चाञ्चंडासिपदमीरयेत् ॥ १७४ ॥

Transliteration

rudrāṃkuśena śamaya praveśayayugaṃ tataḥ | āveśayayugaṃ paścāñcaṃḍāsipadamīrayet || 174 ||

Translation

Ensuite, à l’aide du Rudrāṅkuśa (l’« aiguillon » de Rudra), qu’on apaise et fasse entrer en répétant la paire de formules ; puis, en répétant la paire de formules d’« entrée/infusion », qu’on prononce enfin le mot-mantra « Caṇḍāsi ».

Word by Word

• रुद्र-अङ्कुशेन: with the Rudra-goad
• रुद्र-अङ्कुशेन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्कुश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental); एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः: ‘रुद्रस्य अङ्कुशः’ (Rudra’s goad)

• शमय: pacify! / calm!
• शमय: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शम् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative); मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person); एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• प्रवेशय-युगम्: the ‘entering’ pair/set
• प्रवेशय-युगम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्र-विश् (धातु) + युग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative); एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः: ‘प्रवेशय’ (causing to enter; verbal noun/command-form used as stem) + ‘युगम्’ (pair/set)

• ततः: then
• ततः: सम्बन्ध/क्रमसूचक
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रमवाचक

• आवेशय-युगम्: the ‘possessing/entering’ pair/set
• आवेशय-युगम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ-विश् (धातु) + युग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः: ‘आवेशय’ (causing to possess/enter; stem-like usage) + ‘युगम्’

• पश्चात्: afterwards
• पश्चात्: सम्बन्ध/क्रमसूचक
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पश्चात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रमवाचक (afterwards)

• चण्ड-असि-पदम्: the word ‘fierce-sword’
• चण्ड-असि-पदम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + असि (प्रातिपदिक) + पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः: ‘चण्डः असिः’ (fierce sword) + पदम् (word/term)

• ईरयेत्: should utter/recite
• ईरयेत्: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ईर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative); प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Sanatkumara (instruction to Narada in a technical/ritual context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Rudra

FAQs

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

It emphasizes disciplined mantra-sequencing—first pacification (śamana) and controlled entry (praveśa), then infusion/activation (āveśa)—showing that spiritual power is approached through order, restraint, and correct procedure.

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

Indirectly: even when technical rites are described, the implied principle is reverent, careful invocation of divine forces (here, Rudra) rather than impulsive display—supporting bhakti as disciplined surrender expressed through proper recitation.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Mantra-prayoga methodology: the verse highlights controlled repetition (yuga = paired recitations), correct ordering of formulas, and precise utterance of a key mantra-word—skills aligned with Śikṣā (phonetics) and ritual application traditions.