Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 6

The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca

Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta

Devanagari script

महारथवरे दीप्तनानायुधविराजिते । सुस्थितं विपुलोदारं सहस्रभुजमंडितम् ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

mahārathavare dīptanānāyudhavirājite | susthitaṃ vipulodāraṃ sahasrabhujamaṃḍitam || 6 ||

Translation

ആ ശ്രേഷ്ഠ മഹാരഥത്തിൽ നാനാവിധ ആയുധങ്ങളുടെ ദീപ്തിയാൽ പ്രകാശിച്ച്, സുസ്ഥിരമായി നിലകൊള്ളുന്ന വിപുലവും ഉദാരവുമായ ഒരു ദിവ്യസ്വരൂപം സഹസ്രഭുജങ്ങളാൽ അലങ്കൃതമായി വിരാജിച്ചു।

Word by Word

• mahā-ratha-vare: in the excellent great chariot
• mahā-ratha-vare: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + ratha (प्रातिपदिक) + vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); विशेषण—‘in/at the excellent great chariot’

• dīpta-nānā-āyudha-virājite: resplendent with many shining weapons
• dīpta-nānā-āyudha-virājite: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīpta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + nānā (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + āyudha (प्रातिपदिक) + virājita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; विशेषण—qualifying mahārathavare; ‘in (that) resplendent with many shining weapons’

• su-sthitam: well-positioned
• su-sthitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + sthita (कृदन्त; √sthā स्था)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; past participle (क्त) used adjectivally—‘well-positioned/standing firm’

• vipula-udāram: vast and noble
• vipula-udāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vipula (प्रातिपदिक) + udāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; विशेषण—‘broad and noble/lofty’

• sahasra-bhuja-maṇḍitam: adorned with a thousand arms
• sahasra-bhuja-maṇḍitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sahasra (प्रातिपदिक) + bhuja (प्रातिपदिक) + maṇḍita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √maṇḍ मण्ड्)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; past participle (क्त) used adjectivally—‘adorned with a thousand arms’

Speaker

Narada (narration within the Vedanga/technical section context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

FAQs

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

It depicts overwhelming divine sovereignty and protection—radiance, weapons, and the thousand-armed form symbolize inexhaustible power to uphold dharma and remove obstacles.

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

By presenting a majestic, awe-inspiring vision of the divine, it supports bhakti through dhyāna (devotional contemplation): the devotee steadies the mind on the Lord’s splendor and safeguarding might.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It aligns with ritual-dhyāna and mantra-visualization practice used alongside Vedanga disciplines—especially Śikṣā (phonetics for mantra recitation) and Kalpa (ritual procedure) where vivid divine imagery supports focused worship.