Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 148

Kṛṣṇādi-mantra-varga-varṇana

Classification of Krishna and Related Mantras

Devanagari script

पादे कटौ हृदि मुखे मूर्ध्निं वर्णान्प्रविन्यसेत् ॥ १४८ ॥

Transliteration

pāde kaṭau hṛdi mukhe mūrdhniṃ varṇānpravinyaset || 148 ||

Translation

പാദങ്ങളിൽ, കടിയിൽ, ഹൃദയത്തിൽ, മുഖത്തിൽ, ശിരസ്സിന്റെ മുകളിൽ അക്ഷരങ്ങളെ ശ്രദ്ധയോടെ ന്യാസം ചെയ്യണം।

Word by Word

• pāde: in the foot
• pāde: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• kaṭau: in the waist
• kaṭau: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaṭi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• hṛdi: in the heart
• hṛdi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hṛd (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• mukhe: in the mouth/face
• mukhe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• mūrdhni: on the head/crown
• mūrdhni: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūrdhan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• varṇān: letters/syllables
• varṇān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• pravi-nyaset: should place/arrange
• pravi-nyaset: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-√as (धातु) with prefix pra-vi-
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

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 teaches nyāsa—internalizing mantra-syllables by ritually placing them on key bodily loci, turning recitation into embodied contemplation and disciplined ritual focus.

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

Though technical, nyāsa supports bhakti by making mantra-japa more attentive and reverent—devotion is expressed through precise, mindful worship where the body becomes a seat of sacred remembrance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Śikṣā-oriented practice: correct handling of varṇas (phonemes/syllables) and their ritual application via nyāsa, emphasizing disciplined method in mantra-vidhi.