Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 102

The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca

Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta

Devanagari script

आज्ञया कार्तवीर्यस्य योगीन्द्रस्यामितद्युतेः । कार्तवीर्यार्जुनो धन्वी राजेन्द्रो हैहयेश्वरः ॥ १०२ ॥

Transliteration

ājñayā kārtavīryasya yogīndrasyāmitadyuteḥ | kārtavīryārjuno dhanvī rājendro haihayeśvaraḥ || 102 ||

Translation

അമിതതേജസ്സുള്ള യോഗീന്ദ്രനായ കാർത്തവീര്യന്റെ ആജ്ഞയാൽ ധനുസ്സധാരിയായ കാർത്തവീര്യാർജുനൻ ഉദിച്ചു—അവൻ രാജേന്ദ്രൻ, ഹൈഹയരുടെ അധീശ്വരൻ.

Word by Word

• ājñayā: by the command
• ājñayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ājñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• kārtavīryasya: of Kārtavīrya
• kārtavīryasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārtavīrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• yogīndrasya: of the lord of yogins
• yogīndrasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yogīndra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; compound yogin+indra (lord of yogins)

• amitadyuteḥ: of him of immeasurable splendor
• amitadyuteḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: amita+dyuti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठī), Singular; bahuvrīhi: 'whose splendor is immeasurable' qualifying 'yogīndrasya'

• kārtavīryārjunaḥ: Kārtavīrya Arjuna
• kārtavīryārjunaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārtavīrya+arjuna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; proper name compound

• dhanvī: bow-bearing
• dhanvī: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhanvin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; possessive adjective

• rājendraḥ: king of kings
• rājendraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājendra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; rāja+indra (king of kings)

• haihayeśvaraḥ: lord of the Haihayas
• haihayeśvaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: haihaya+īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; haihaya-īśvara (lord of the Haihayas)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Purāṇic account in the discourse stream)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Kārtavīrya
• Kārtavīrya Arjuna
• Haihayas

FAQs

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

It highlights the Purāṇic principle that sovereignty and power are legitimized by higher authority (ājñā) and disciplined yogic excellence, framing kingship as dharma-guided rather than merely hereditary.

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

While not directly teaching bhakti practices, it implies that true rulership is subordinate to a higher command—an attitude that bhakti later perfects as surrender (śaraṇāgati) to the Lord’s will.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

This verse mainly serves vamśa-narration (genealogical record), a structured Purāṇic method that supports accurate transmission of names and lineages—useful for Itihāsa-Purāṇa study and traditional anukrama-style memorization.