Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11
Rādhā-sambaddha-mantra-vyākhyā
Rādhā-Related Mantras Explained
शैब्या वृन्दा श्रीधराख्या सर्वास्तुत्तुल्यविग्रहाः । सुशीलाप्रमुखा श्चान्याः सख्यो द्वात्रिंशदीरिताः ॥ ११ ॥
śaibyā vṛndā śrīdharākhyā sarvāstuttulyavigrahāḥ | suśīlāpramukhā ścānyāḥ sakhyo dvātriṃśadīritāḥ || 11 ||
ശൈബ്യാ, വൃന്ദാ, ശ്രീധരാ എന്നറിയപ്പെടുന്നവൾ—എല്ലാവരും സമാന ദിവ്യവിഗ്രഹമുള്ളവർ; സുശീലാ മുതലായ മറ്റു സഖിമാരോടുകൂടെ ആകെ മുപ്പത്തിരണ്ട് എന്നു പറയുന്നു.
Sage Nārada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumāra tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It sanctifies remembrance through precise naming and counting—presenting a revered list of thirty-two sakhīs, a common Purāṇic method for devotional recollection (smaraṇa) and liturgical recitation.
Bhakti is supported here through nāma-smaraṇa and guṇa-kīrtana: the companions are described as equally praiseworthy in form, encouraging reverent contemplation and recitation of sacred names as an act of devotion.
The verse reflects the Purāṇic-anukramaṇī style of structured cataloguing (useful for ritual recitation and textual organization), aligning with technical disciplines that preserve correct lists, counts, and name-forms.