Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56

Mahāviṣṇu-Mantras: Aṣṭākṣarī, Sudarśana-Astra, Nyāsa Systems, Āvaraṇa-Pūjā, and Prayogas

Devanagari script

नारसिंहमिवात्मानं देवं ध्यात्वातिभैरवम् । शश्त्रं संमंत्र्य मंत्रेण शब्रून्हत्वा निवर्तते ॥ ५६ ॥

Transliteration

nārasiṃhamivātmānaṃ devaṃ dhyātvātibhairavam | śaśtraṃ saṃmaṃtrya maṃtreṇa śabrūnhatvā nivartate || 56 ||

Translation

અતિભયંકર નરસિંહસ્વરૂપ દેવનું ધ્યાન કરીને, મંત્રથી શસ્ત્રને અભિમંત્રિત કરી, શત્રુઓનો સંહાર કરીને પછી નિવૃત્ત થાય છે.

Word by Word

• nārasiṃham: Narasimha
• nārasiṃham: Upamāna (उपमान/उपमेय-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक) + siṃha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुष: 'man-lion' (Narasimha)

• iva: like/as
• iva: Upamā-bodhaka (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle of comparison (उपमावाचक अव्यय)

• ātmānam: oneself
• ātmānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; reflexive sense 'oneself'

• devam: as a deity
• devam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; in apposition to ātmānam

• dhyātvā: having meditated upon
• dhyātvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dhyai (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा), from √ध्यै; prior action to main verb

• ati-bhairavam: exceedingly fearsome
• ati-bhairavam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ati (अव्यय/उपसर्ग) + bhairava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; अव्ययीभाव: 'exceedingly terrible' qualifying deva/ātmānam

• śastram: a weapon
• śastram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śastra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• saṃmantrya: having enchanted/consecrated
• saṃmantrya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: mantr (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्/क्त्वा-समकक्ष), with prefix saṃ-; 'having consecrated/enchanted by mantra'

• maṃtreṇa: with a mantra
• maṃtreṇa: Karaṇa (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• śatrūn: enemies
• śatrūn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śatru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• hatvā: having slain
• hatvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: han (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा), from √हन्; prior action

• nivartate: returns/withdraws
• nivartate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni√vṛt (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्/present), Ātmanepada, 3rd person, Singular; 'returns/withdraws'

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara tradition; technical instruction mode)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Characters & Entities

• Narasimha
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It teaches that victory over fear and opposition is rooted in dhyāna (focused contemplation) on the Lord’s protective, fierce form (Narasiṃha) and in disciplined mantra-application, not mere physical force.

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

By placing Narasiṃha-dhyāna first, the verse frames action as arising from devotion and surrender to Viṣṇu’s safeguarding power; the devotee acts as an instrument after invoking the Deity’s presence.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied mantra-prayoga—ritual technique of mantra-siddhi and saṃskāra (consecration/empowerment) of implements—aligned with auxiliary disciplines used to execute rites with precision.