Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 41

Mantra-Māhātmya and Sādhana of Kārtavīryārjuna

Nyāsa, Yantra, Homa, and Dīpa-Vrata

Devanagari script

स्वांकुशाभ्यां सप्तमः स्यात्स्वरमाभ्यामथाष्टमः । स्ववाग्भवाभ्यां नवमो वर्मास्त्राभ्यामथांतिमः ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

svāṃkuśābhyāṃ saptamaḥ syātsvaramābhyāmathāṣṭamaḥ | svavāgbhavābhyāṃ navamo varmāstrābhyāmathāṃtimaḥ || 41 ||

Translation

ອັນທີເຈັດໃຫ້ກະທຳນຍາສະດ້ວຍຄູ່ມັນຕຣາ “svā” ແລະ “aṅkuśa”; ຕໍ່ມາອັນທີແປດດ້ວຍ “svara” ແລະ “mā”. ອັນທີເກົ້າດ້ວຍ “vāg” ແລະ “bhava”; ແລະອັນສຸດທ້າຍດ້ວຍ “varma” ແລະ “astra”.

Word by Word

• स्वाङ्कुशाभ्याम्: by (the two) ‘svāṅkuśa’ elements
• स्वाङ्कुशाभ्याम्: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + अङ्कुश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), द्विवचन (Dual), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• सप्तमः: seventh
• सप्तमः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• स्यात्: should be
• स्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• स्वरमाभ्याम्: by (the two) ‘svarama’ elements
• स्वरमाभ्याम्: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वरम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), द्विवचन (Dual), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter)

• अथ: then/next
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/आरम्भार्थक (sequencing particle: ‘then/next’)

• अष्टमः: eighth
• अष्टमः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अष्टम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• स्ववाग्भवाभ्याम्: by (the two) ‘svavāgbhava’ elements
• स्ववाग्भवाभ्याम्: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + वाग्भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), द्विवचन (Dual), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• नवमः: ninth
• नवमः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नवम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• वर्मास्त्राभ्याम्: by armor and weapon (the pair)
• वर्मास्त्राभ्याम्: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्म + अस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), द्विवचन (Dual), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter; dvandva often neuter)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रमार्थक (sequencing particle)

• अन्तिमः: last/final
• अन्तिमः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्तिम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It codifies a protective mantra-nyāsa sequence: specific mantra-pairs are assigned to successive steps, culminating in “varma” (spiritual armor) and “astra” (mantric dispatch), indicating completion and safeguarding of the rite.

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

While primarily technical, it supports bhakti-practice by prescribing disciplined, reverent mantra-application; such ordered nyāsa is treated as a way to steady the mind and protect devotional worship from distraction and obstacles.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights applied ritual science—mantra-prayoga and nyāsa-krama (procedural placement of mantras), a technical discipline aligned with Vedāṅga-style precision in recitation and ritual execution.