Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 28

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

किरीटार्पितबालेंदून्पद्मस्थान्भूषणान्वितान् । त्रिनेत्राञ्छूलवज्रास्त्रचापहस्तान्मनोरमान् ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

kirīṭārpitabāleṃdūnpadmasthānbhūṣaṇānvitān | trinetrāñchūlavajrāstracāpahastānmanoramān || 28 ||

Translation

Tampak para dewa yang memesona—dengan bulan sabit muda terpasang pada mahkota, bersemayam di atas padma, berhias perhiasan, bermata tiga, dan di tangan memegang trisula, senjata vajra, serta busur.

Word by Word

• किरीट-अर्पित-बाल-इन्दून्: with young moons placed on their crowns
• किरीट-अर्पित-बाल-इन्दून्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: किरीट (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्पित (कृदन्त; √अर्प्) + बाल (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्दु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; किरीटे अर्पिताः बाल-इन्दवः येषाम् (having young moons set on the crown)

• पद्म-स्थान्: lotus-seated
• पद्म-स्थान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; पद्मे स्थानं येषाम् (seated in/on a lotus)

• भूषण-अन्वितान्: adorned with ornaments
• भूषण-अन्वितान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भूषण (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्वित (कृदन्त; √इ ‘to go’ in sense ‘endowed’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; भूषणैः अन्विताः (adorned with ornaments)

• त्रि-नेत्रान्: three-eyed
• त्रि-नेत्रान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक) + नेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; त्रीणि नेत्राणि येषाम् (three-eyed)

• शूल-वज्र-अस्त्र-चाप-हस्तान्: having trident, thunderbolt, weapon, and bow in their hands
• शूल-वज्र-अस्त्र-चाप-हस्तान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शूल (प्रातिपदिक) + वज्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + चाप (प्रातिपदिक) + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; शूल-वज्र-अस्त्र-चापाः हस्तेषु येषाम् (having trident, thunderbolt, weapon, and bow in their hands)

• मनोरमान्: charming/beautiful
• मनोरमान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनोरम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

Speaker

Narada (narrating within the dialogue tradition to the Sanatkumara brothers)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Crescent Moon (Bālendu)
• Lotus (Padma)
• Trident (Śūla)
• Vajra
• Bow (Cāpa)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes sacred darśana through precise divine iconography—crown, crescent, lotus-seat, and weapons—guiding the mind to steadiness and reverence in contemplation.

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

By describing attractive and awe-inspiring divine forms, it supports bhakti through dhyāna (devotional visualization), making devotion concrete via recognizable attributes.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse reflects technical dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (iconographic markers) used in ritual and recitation traditions—supporting correct visualization and liturgical precision within Purāṇic practice.