Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 91

The Exposition of Nṛsiṁha Worship-Mantras, Nyāsa, Mudrās, Yantras, Kavaca, and Nṛsiṁha Gāyatrī

Devanagari script

अथ यन्त्रान्तरं वक्ष्ये शुणु नारद सिद्धिदम् । अष्टारं विलिखेद्यन्त्रं श्लक्ष्णं कर्णिकया युतम् ॥ ९१ ॥

Transliteration

atha yantrāntaraṃ vakṣye śuṇu nārada siddhidam | aṣṭāraṃ vilikhedyantraṃ ślakṣṇaṃ karṇikayā yutam || 91 ||

Translation

ഇപ്പോൾ മറ്റൊരു യന്ത്രം ഞാൻ പറയുന്നു; കേൾക്കൂ, ഹേ നാരദ—ഇത് സിദ്ധിയിലേക്കുള്ള ഉപായമാണ്. എട്ട് അരകളുള്ള, മൃദുവായി നന്നായി തീർത്ത, കർണിക (മധ്യനാഭി)യോടുകൂടിയ യന്ത്രം വരയ്ക്കണം.

Word by Word

• atha: then/now
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb/particle indicating sequence (अनन्तरार्थक)

• yantra-antaram: another yantra
• yantra-antaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yantra (प्रातिपदिक) + antara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुषः (yantrāṇām antaraṃ / another yantra)

• vakṣye: I shall describe
• vakṣye: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (वच्)
• Form: Future (लृट्), Parasmaipada, 1st person (उत्तमपुरुष), Singular

• śuṇu: listen
• śuṇu: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śru (श्रु)
• Form: Imperative (लोट्), Parasmaipada, 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular

• nārada: O Nārada
• nārada: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

• siddhi-dam: bestowing accomplishment
• siddhi-dam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: siddhi (प्रातिपदिक) + da (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (siddhiṃ dadāti iti) qualifying yantrāntaram

• aṣṭa-aram: eight-spoked
• aṣṭa-aram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + ara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; द्विगु-समासः (aṣṭau arāḥ yasya) qualifying yantram

• vilikhet: one should draw/inscribe
• vilikhet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi + √likh (लिख्)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• yantram: the yantra
• yantram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• ślakṣṇam: smooth/fine
• ślakṣṇam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ślakṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying yantram

• karṇikayā: with a central pericarp/knob (karṇikā)
• karṇikayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karṇikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• yutam: joined/combined (with)
• yutam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √yuj (युज्) + ta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Neuter, Accusative, Singular; qualifying yantram

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It introduces a specific upāsanā-supporting yantra and states it as “siddhi-giving,” indicating that correct form (eight spokes and a central hub) is part of the discipline that supports focused attainment.

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

While the verse is technical, it supports devotional practice indirectly: a properly drawn yantra functions as a concentrative aid for mantra-japa and worship, helping the mind remain steady on the chosen deity or sacred intention.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual-technical procedure (prayoga)—the precise construction features of a yantra (aṣṭāra, ślakṣṇa, karṇikā)—a hallmark of applied Vedic sciences and temple/ritual praxis described in Book 1.3.