Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27

Kṛṣṇādi-mantra-varga-varṇana

Classification of Krishna and Related Mantras

Devanagari script

शब्दब्रह्म मयं वेणुमधः पाणिद्वये पुनः । गायत्रीगीतवसनं श्यामलं कोमलच्छविम् ॥ २७ ॥

Transliteration

śabdabrahma mayaṃ veṇumadhaḥ pāṇidvaye punaḥ | gāyatrīgītavasanaṃ śyāmalaṃ komalacchavim || 27 ||

Translation

വീണ്ടും ഞാൻ കണ്ടു—ശബ്ദബ്രഹ്മമയമായ വേണുവിനെ അവൻ ഇരുകൈകളിലും താഴെ ധരിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു; ഗായത്രീഗീതം തന്നെയായ വസ്ത്രം ധരിച്ച്, ശ്യാമവർണ്ണനും কোমലപ്രഭയുമുള്ളവൻ।

Word by Word

• śabda-brahma: sound-Brahman (the Brahman as sound)
• śabda-brahma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śabda (प्रातिपदिक) + brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• mayam: consisting of
• mayam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• veṇum: flute
• veṇum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: veṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• adhaḥ: below
• adhaḥ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: adhaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• pāṇi-dvaye: in the two hands
• pāṇi-dvaye: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक) + dvi (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); dvigu meaning 'in the pair of hands'

• punaḥ: again/further
• punaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• gāyatrī-gīta-vasanam: having a garment (or attire) of Gāyatrī-song
• gāyatrī-gīta-vasanam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gāyatrī (प्रातिपदिक) + gīta (कृदन्त, √gai/√gā) + vasana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying an implied form/figure

• śyāmalam: dark-hued
• śyāmalam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śyāmala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• komala-chavim: of gentle radiance
• komala-chavim: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: komala (प्रातिपदिक) + chavi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Feminine (पुं/स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); used as adjective 'having soft radiance'

Speaker

Narada (describing a vision/meditative perception within the teaching dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Gayatri
• Brahman (Śabda-Brahma)

FAQs

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

It identifies sacred sound (śabda-brahma) as a direct form of the Absolute and presents mantra—especially Gāyatrī—as a living, embodied power that clothes and reveals the divine presence in meditation.

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

By portraying the divine as approachable through sound and song, it frames devotion as attentive listening, chanting, and contemplative remembrance—where mantra becomes both ornament and vehicle of loving focus.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse points to mantra-śāstra and chandas (Vedic metre) through Gāyatrī, emphasizing correct recitation and sonic discipline—key concerns of Śikṣā (phonetics) and Chandas within Vedāṅga practice.