Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 42

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

शूलटंकाक्षवलयकमंडलुलसत्करम् । रक्ताकारं त्रिनयनं चंडेशमथ पूजयेत् ॥ ४२ ॥

Transliteration

śūlaṭaṃkākṣavalayakamaṃḍalulasatkaram | raktākāraṃ trinayanaṃ caṃḍeśamatha pūjayet || 42 ||

Translation

Kemudian pujalah Caṇḍeśa, yang tangannya berkilau memegang trisula, kapak, mālā (tasbih), gelang, dan kamaṇḍalu; berwujud merah dan bermata tiga.

Word by Word

• śūla-ṭaṅka-akṣa-valaya-kamaṇḍalu-lasat-karam: (him) whose hand shines with trident, axe, rosary, bracelet, and water-pot
• śūla-ṭaṅka-akṣa-valaya-kamaṇḍalu-lasat-karam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śūla (प्रातिपदिक) + ṭaṅka (प्रातिपदिक) + akṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + valaya (प्रातिपदिक) + kamaṇḍalu (प्रातिपदिक) + lasat (कृदन्त; √las/लस्) + kara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); bahuvrīhi: ‘yasya karaḥ śūla-ṭaṅka-akṣa-valaya-kamaṇḍalu-lasan’ = ‘whose hand is shining/holding (these)’; functions as epithet of Caṇḍeśa

• rakta-ākāram: of red form/appearance
• rakta-ākāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rakta (प्रातिपदिक) + ākāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); karmadhāraya: ‘raktaḥ ākāraḥ’

• tri-nayanam: three-eyed
• tri-nayanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (संख्या) + nayana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); dvigu: ‘three-eyed’

• caṇḍeśam: Caṇḍeśa
• caṇḍeśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caṇḍeśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• atha: then/next
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable particle (अनन्तरार्थक/क्रमसूचक अव्यय)

• pūjayet: should worship
• pūjayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pūj (पूज् धातु)
• Form: Optative/विधिलिङ्, 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

Speaker

Narada (teaching ritual/vidhi in dialogue context with Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Caṇḍeśa

FAQs

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

It teaches dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (iconographic contemplation) as part of pūjā: by visualizing Caṇḍeśa with specific weapons and emblems, the worshipper aligns mind and ritual act, invoking protection, discipline, and the fierce removal of obstacles.

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

Bhakti here is expressed as precise, reverent worship (pūjayet) grounded in focused remembrance of the deity’s form; devotion is not vague emotion but attentive service supported by correct visualization and offerings.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects kalpa-style ritual method (a Vedāṅga-oriented approach to procedure): specifying the deity’s form and emblems functions like a ritual rubric for dhyāna and pūjā, ensuring correctness and consistency in worship.