Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 96

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

कुंकुमाभचतुर्वक्त्रं वामदेवं त्रिलोचनम् । हरिणाक्षगुणाभीतिवरहस्तं चतुर्मुखम् ॥ ९६ ॥

Transliteration

kuṃkumābhacaturvaktraṃ vāmadevaṃ trilocanam | hariṇākṣaguṇābhītivarahastaṃ caturmukham || 96 ||

Translation

Il est aux quatre visages, rayonnant de la teinte du safran ; l’auspicieux Vāmadeva, aux trois yeux—au regard de gazelle—portant dans ses mains les mudrā de la vertu, de l’intrépidité et de l’octroi des grâces : tel est ce Seigneur à quatre faces.

Word by Word

• कुङ्कुमाभचतुर्वक्त्रम्: saffron-hued and four-faced
• कुङ्कुमाभचतुर्वक्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुङ्कुम-आभ + चतुर्-वक्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-समास (descriptive compound used adjectivally)

• वामदेवम्: Vāmadeva
• वामदेवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वामदेव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; नाम (proper name)

• त्रिलोचनम्: three-eyed
• त्रिलोचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि + लोचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• हरिणाक्षगुणाभीतिवरहस्तम्: with deer-like eyes, (showing) virtue and fearlessness, and a boon-giving hand
• हरिणाक्षगुणाभीतिवरहस्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हरिण-अक्ष + गुण + अभीति + वर + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-समास: हरिणाक्ष (कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष) + गुण + अभीति + वरहस्त (कर्मधारय)

• चतुर्मुखम्: four-faced
• चतुर्मुखम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Narada (in a descriptive/dhyana context within the Narada Purana’s technical-ritual section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Vamadeva
• Caturmukha (Four-faced deity form)

FAQs

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

It provides a dhyāna-style visualization: the deity’s color, faces, eyes, and boon/fearlessness gestures are meditative cues meant to steady the mind and invoke auspiciousness and protection.

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

By giving concrete attributes for remembrance (smaraṇa) and focused contemplation (dhyāna), it supports devotional absorption—seeing the Lord as compassionate (varada) and protective (abhaya).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects mantra-dhyāna and ritual visualization used alongside recitation—an applied, technical aspect of practice linked to correct liturgical procedure and meditative discipline.