Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31

The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca

Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta

Devanagari script

हृदये चोदरे नाभौ जठरे गुह्यमण्डले । तेजोरूपाः स्थिताः पातुं वांछासुखनद्रुमाः ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

hṛdaye codare nābhau jaṭhare guhyamaṇḍale | tejorūpāḥ sthitāḥ pātuṃ vāṃchāsukhanadrumāḥ || 31 ||

Translation

ഹൃദയം, ഉദരം, നാഭി, ജഠരം, ഗുഹ്യമണ്ഡലം എന്നിവിടങ്ങളിൽ നിലകൊള്ളുന്ന ആ തേജോമയ ശക്തികൾ കല്പവൃക്ഷംപോലെ അഭിലഷിതസുഖം നൽകി সাধകനെ കാത്തുകൊള്ളട്ടെ.

Word by Word

• हृदये: in the heart
• हृदये: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृदय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• उदरे: in the belly
• उदरे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उदर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• नाभौ: in the navel
• नाभौ: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाभि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• जठरे: in the stomach
• जठरे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जठर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• गुह्य-मण्डले: in the secret region/circle
• गुह्य-मण्डले: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुह्य (प्रातिपदिक) + मण्डल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative): 'गुह्यस्य मण्डले'

• तेजो-रूपाः: having the form of radiance
• तेजो-रूपाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'तेजसः रूपाः'

• स्थिताः: stationed/placed
• स्थिताः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nom./1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• पातुम्: to protect
• पातुम्: प्रयोजन (Purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पा (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive), क्रियार्थ (purpose)

• वाञ्छा-सुख-न-द्रुमाः: trees (that are) not (mere) desired pleasures
• वाञ्छा-सुख-न-द्रुमाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाञ्छा (प्रातिपदिक) + सुख (प्रातिपदिक) + न (अव्यय-निषेध) + द्रुम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nom./1st), बहुवचन (Plural); समासः: (वाञ्छा-सुख) कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-भावेन 'वाञ्छितं सुखम्' + 'न' निषेध + 'द्रुम' (tree) → बहुवचन प्रथमा

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a Vedanga/ritual-technical context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It presents an inner-protection doctrine: luminous mantra-energies (tejorūpa śaktis) are contemplated as stationed in key bodily centers, forming a kavaca-like safeguard and supporting the aspirant’s well-being.

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

Bhakti here is expressed as embodied remembrance—invoking divine radiance within the body’s centers—so the devotee feels protected and supported, making steady worship and japa easier and more focused.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects a technical ritual application (prayoga) akin to nyāsa/kavaca: assigning mantra-śakti or tejas to specific bodily locations for protection—an applied, procedural aspect often taught alongside mantra discipline.