Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 136

Pañca-prakṛti-nirūpaṇa and Mantra-vidhi: Rādhā, Mahālakṣmī, Durgā, Sarasvatī, Sāvitrī; plus Sāvitrī-Pañjara

Devanagari script

ज्वलत्कालानलप्रख्यों तडित्कीटिसमप्रभाम् । कोटिसूर्यप्रतीकाशां शशिकोटिसुशीतलाम् ॥ १३६ ॥

Transliteration

jvalatkālānalaprakhyoṃ taḍitkīṭisamaprabhām | koṭisūryapratīkāśāṃ śaśikoṭisuśītalām || 136 ||

Translation

അവൾ ജ്വലിക്കുന്ന കാലാഗ്നിപോലെ, മിന്നൽപ്പൊട്ടുപോലെ ദീപ്തയെന്ന് പറയുന്നു; കോടി സൂര്യന്മാരെപ്പോലെ പ്രകാശമാന, എങ്കിലും കോടി ചന്ദ്രന്മാരെപ്പോലെ ശീതളവും ആശ്വാസകരവും।

Word by Word

• ज्वलत्-काल-अनल-प्रख्याम्: resembling blazing time-fire
• ज्वलत्-काल-अनल-प्रख्याम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्वलत् (कृदन्त, √ज्वल्) + काल + अनल + प्रख्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः (fem. acc. sg.)

• तडित्-कीटि-सम-प्रभाम्: having a radiance like lightning (and) firefly
• तडित्-कीटि-सम-प्रभाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तडित् + कीटि + सम + प्रभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः (fem. acc. sg.)

• कोटि-सूर्य-प्रतीकाशाम्: shining like ten million suns
• कोटि-सूर्य-प्रतीकाशाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कोटि + सूर्य + प्रतीकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः (fem. acc. sg.)

• शशि-कोटि-सु-शीतलाम्: very cool like ten million moons
• शशि-कोटि-सु-शीतलाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शशि + कोटि + सु + शीतल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः (fem. acc. sg.)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)

Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)

FAQs

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

It portrays sacred power as paradoxical—overwhelmingly luminous like cosmic fire, yet inwardly pacifying like moonlight—indicating a divinity that both destroys ignorance and grants serenity.

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

Bhakti often experiences the Divine as intense awe (like blazing fire) together with intimate comfort (like cool moonlight); the verse frames devotion as surrender to a presence that purifies while also consoling the heart.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse uses precise poetic similes and measured epithets typical of mantra-stuti style; practically, it supports correct recitation and interpretive clarity (linked with Śikṣā and Vyākaraṇa) by emphasizing exact imagery and meaning.