Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 159
The Description of the Four Durgā Mantras
सूर्यहस्तां निरुक्षांकधृतहस्तांबरान्विताम् । प्रवृद्धलोमां तु भृशं कुटिलाकुटिलेक्षणाम् ॥ १५९ ॥
sūryahastāṃ nirukṣāṃkadhṛtahastāṃbarānvitām | pravṛddhalomāṃ tu bhṛśaṃ kuṭilākuṭilekṣaṇām || 159 ||
അവളുടെ കൈകൾ സൂര്യപ്രഭപോലെ ദീപ്തമായിരുന്നു; അവൾ വസ്ത്രധാരിണി, കൈയിൽ ‘നിരുക്ത’ ചിഹ്നമുള്ള പ്രതീകം ധരിച്ചു. അവൾ അത്യന്തം രോമശ, അവളുടെ ദൃഷ്ടി വളഞ്ഞതും കലക്കമുണർത്തുന്നതുമായിരുന്നു.
Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada, describing a technical/personified figure in the Vedanga context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
The verse uses vivid, almost iconographic description to portray a power or personification connected with Vedic learning—especially Nirukta—indicating that mastery of sacred meaning (artha) can appear formidable and awe-inspiring, not merely ornamental.
Indirectly: by emphasizing correct understanding of Vedic words and meanings (through Nirukta), it supports disciplined scriptural comprehension, which in the Narada Purana is often presented as a foundation for steady Vishnu-bhakti and correct ritual orientation.
Nirukta (etymology/semantic explanation of Vedic terms) is highlighted—pointing to the Vedanga method of interpreting difficult Vedic words via signs, roots, and traditional semantic markers.