Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 140

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

Devanagari script

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाप्त्यै विनियोग उदाहृतः । षडंगदेवतामन्त्रैरंगन्यासं समाचरेत् ॥ १४० ॥

Transliteration

dharmārthakāmamokṣāptyai viniyoga udāhṛtaḥ | ṣaḍaṃgadevatāmantrairaṃganyāsaṃ samācaret || 140 ||

Translation

ധർമ്മം, അർത്ഥം, കാമം, മോക്ഷം എന്നിവ നേടുന്നതിനായി വിനിയോഗം ഇങ്ങനെ പ്രസ്താവിച്ചു; തുടർന്ന് ഷഡംഗാധിഷ്ഠാതൃ ദേവതാമന്ത്രങ്ങളാൽ അങ്കന്യാസം ചെയ്യണം.

Word by Word

• dharma-artha-kāma-mokṣa-āptyai: for attaining dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa
• dharma-artha-kāma-mokṣa-āptyai: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma + artha + kāma + mokṣa + āpti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine) [आप्ति], चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन (Singular); पूर्वपद-समाहार-द्वन्द्व (dharma-artha-kāma-mokṣa) + तद्धित/समास-सम्बन्धः ‘आप्त्यै’ (for attainment)

• viniyogaḥ: application; assignment (viniyoga)
• viniyogaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viniyoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• udāhṛtaḥ: is declared/stated
• udāhṛtaḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud-ā-√hṛ (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle, kta), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); ‘is stated/declared’ (elliptic passive)

• ṣaḍ-aṃga-devatā-mantraiḥ: with the mantras of the six limbs/deities
• ṣaḍ-aṃga-devatā-mantraiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṣaṭ + aṃga + devatā + mantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural); षडङ्ग-देवतामन्त्र (determinative: 'mantras of the six limbs/deities')

• aṃga-nyāsaṃ: limb-nyāsa (placing/installation on limbs)
• aṃga-nyāsaṃ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṃga + nyāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष (nyāsa relating to limbs)

• samācaret: should perform
• samācaret: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā-√car (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within the Vedāṅga/ritual-technical discourse)

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 frames mantra-prayoga as a complete sādhana: by correctly stating the viniyoga and performing aṅganyāsa, the practitioner aligns intention, deity-power, and body-mind for the four human aims culminating in mokṣa.

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

Bhakti here is expressed as disciplined worship: the devotee approaches the deity through mantras with proper application (viniyoga) and embodied reverence (nyāsa), turning devotion into a precise, sanctifying practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights mantra-śāstra prayoga—especially the procedural elements of viniyoga and ṣaḍaṅga/aṅganyāsa—showing the technical ritual method used in Vedic and tantric-style recitation.