Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 122

The Account of the Lalitā Hymn, the Protective Armor

Kavaca), and the Thousand Names (Sahasranāma

Devanagari script

सुमुखा पंडिता क्रुद्धा वराहास्या सटामुखा । कपटा कौतुका काला किंकरा कितवा खला ॥ १२२ ॥

Transliteration

sumukhā paṃḍitā kruddhā varāhāsyā saṭāmukhā | kapaṭā kautukā kālā kiṃkarā kitavā khalā || 122 ||

Translation

Ia tampak berwajah elok dan laksana seorang pandita, namun murka; bermuka babi hutan dan bermuka banteng. Ia juga licik, gemar senda, berwarna gelap, laksana pelayan, penjudi, dan berwatak jahat.

Word by Word

• सुमुखा: beautiful-faced
• सुमुखा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु-मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः (सुन्दरं मुखं यस्याः)

• पंडिता: learned; wise
• पंडिता: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पण्डित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• क्रुद्धा: angry
• क्रुद्धा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रुध् (धातु) → क्रुद्ध (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; धातुः क्रुध् (to be angry)

• वराहास्या: boar-faced
• वराहास्या: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वराह-आस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (varāhasya āsyam)

• सटामुखा: mane-faced; with a maned face
• सटामुखा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सटा-मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (सटायुक्तं मुखम्/सटा-सम्बद्धं मुखम्)

• कपटा: deceitful
• कपटा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कपट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• कौतुकā: playful; curious; fond of amusement
• कौतुकā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कौतुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• काला: black; dark
• काला: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• किंकरा: servant; attendant
• किंकरा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किंकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (किंकर ‘servant/attendant’)

• कितवा: gambler; cheat
• कितवा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कितव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (कितव ‘gambler/cheat’)

• खला: wicked one; rogue
• खला: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (खल ‘wicked person’)

Speaker

Narada (in an instructional/descriptive catalogue style within the Vedanga-focused section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It warns that outward charm and even apparent learning can mask inner vices; spiritual life requires discernment (viveka) and alignment with dharma rather than being swayed by appearances.

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

Bhakti is protected by purity of conduct and truthful association; the verse implicitly cautions devotees to avoid deceitful, harmful company that disrupts steadiness (niṣṭhā) in worship and vows.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

In a technical/vedanga-oriented cataloguing context, it functions like a diagnostic list of traits—useful for practical discernment in social and ritual life (choosing trustworthy assistants, messengers, or companions for dharmic duties).