Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 94

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

अक्षस्रजं वेदपाशौ ऋषिं डमरुकं ततः । खट्वांगं निशितं शूलं कपालं बिभ्रतं करैः ॥ ९४ ॥

Transliteration

akṣasrajaṃ vedapāśau ṛṣiṃ ḍamarukaṃ tataḥ | khaṭvāṃgaṃ niśitaṃ śūlaṃ kapālaṃ bibhrataṃ karaiḥ || 94 ||

Translation

Puis (on le vit) tenant en ses mains un chapelet de perles (akṣa-sraj), le lasso des Védas (veda-pāśa), l’emblème d’un ṛṣi, et le tambour ḍamaru ; ainsi qu’un bâton khaṭvāṅga, un trident acéré (śūla) et un crâne.

Word by Word

• अक्षस्रजम्: a rosary of beads
• अक्षस्रजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्ष-स्रज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (‘अक्षाणां स्रक्’ = rosary of beads), स्त्रीलिङ्ग-प्रातिपदिक ‘स्रज्’ का रूप; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वेदपाशौ: the Veda and a noose
• वेदपाशौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद-पाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (वेदः च पाशः च), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, द्विवचन (dual)

• ऋषिम्: a sage (ṛṣi)
• ऋषिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• डमरुकम्: a ḍamaru drum
• डमरुकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: डमरुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रमवाचक/अनन्तरवाचक (sequence marker: ‘then/thereafter’)

• खट्वाङ्गम्: a khaṭvāṅga staff
• खट्वाङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खट्वा-अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (‘खट्वायाः अङ्गम्’), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• निशितम्: sharp
• निशितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निशित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; शूलम् इति विशेषण

• शूलम्: a trident/spear
• शूलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कपालम्: a skull-bowl
• कपालम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• बिभ्रतम्: bearing/holding
• बिभ्रतम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भृ (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; (देवता/मूर्ति) इति विशेषण

• करैः: with (his) hands
• करैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Purana dialogue as received; describing the deity’s form/attributes in context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Veda
• Rishi

FAQs

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

It emphasizes disciplined spiritual authority: the rosary suggests japa and inner practice, while the Veda-pāśa (Vedic noose) symbolizes the binding power of Vedic law and restraint that draws the mind away from disorder toward dharma.

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

By presenting sacred implements associated with mantra, ascetic power, and protection, the verse implies that bhakti is strengthened through regulated practice—japa, reverence for Veda, and surrender to divine order—rather than mere emotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse points to mantra-based ritual discipline (japa with a rosary) and Vedic authority (veda-pāśa), aligning with Vedāṅga concerns such as correct ritual application and regulated practice grounded in Vedic injunctions.