Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 179

Rādhā-sambaddha-mantra-vyākhyā

Rādhā-Related Mantras Explained

Devanagari script

दधानां दक्षिणैर्हस्तैरासीनां पद्मविष्टरे । स्वाकारवर्णवेषास्यपाण्यायुधविभूषणैः ॥ १७९ ॥

Transliteration

dadhānāṃ dakṣiṇairhastairāsīnāṃ padmaviṣṭare | svākāravarṇaveṣāsyapāṇyāyudhavibhūṣaṇaiḥ || 179 ||

Translation

പദ്മവിഷ്ടരത്തിൽ ആസീനയായ ദേവി, ദക്ഷിണഹസ്തങ്ങളാൽ മംഗളപ്രദാനം ചെയ്യുന്നു; അവളുടെ സ്വസ്വരൂപം—വർണം, വേഷം, മുഖം, കൈകൾ, ആയുധങ്ങൾ, ആഭരണങ്ങൾ—യഥാക്രമം ദീപ്തമായി തിളങ്ങുന്നു।

Word by Word

• दधानाम्: bearing/holding
• दधानाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धा (धातु) → दधान (कृदन्त, शतृ)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ), विशेषण (देवीम्)

• दक्षिणैः: with right (hands)
• दक्षिणैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (हस्तैः)

• हस्तैः: with hands
• हस्तैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• आसीनाम्: seated
• आसीनाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आस् (धातु) → आसीन (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त), विशेषण (देवीम्)

• पद्म-विष्टरे: on a lotus-seat
• पद्म-विष्टरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद्म (प्रातिपदिक) + विष्टर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), एकवचन; सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष (पद्मस्य विष्टरः)

• स्व-आकार-वर्ण-वेष-आस्य-पाणि-आयुध-विभूषणैः: with her own form, complexion, attire, face, hands, weapons, and ornaments
• स्व-आकार-वर्ण-वेष-आस्य-पाणि-आयुध-विभूषणैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + आकार (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + वेष (प्रातिपदिक) + आस्य (प्रातिपदिक) + पाणि (प्रातिपदिक) + आयुध (प्रातिपदिक) + विभूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व (आकारादीनि) तृतीया-बहुवचन: 'with (her) own form, color, dress, face, hands, weapons, ornaments'

Speaker

Narada (in narration within the teaching dialogue with the Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It guides dhyāna (ritual meditation) by describing a divine form seated on a lotus-throne, emphasizing auspicious attributes—hands, ornaments, and implements—as supports for focused devotion and inner steadiness.

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

By prescribing a clear visual and contemplative focus on the deity’s auspicious form and adornments, it supports bhakti through sustained remembrance (smaraṇa) and reverent meditation (upāsanā).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects ritual-technical usage of dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (meditative iconography) employed alongside mantra practice—useful for correct application in rites and recitation traditions aligned with Vedāṅga-oriented discipline.