Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 190

Rādhā-sambaddha-mantra-vyākhyā

Rādhā-Related Mantras Explained

Devanagari script

शंखं पाशं खेटचापौ कह्लारं वामबाहुभिः । चक्रं तथांकुशं खङ्गं सायकं मातुलुं गकम् ॥ १९० ॥

Transliteration

śaṃkhaṃ pāśaṃ kheṭacāpau kahlāraṃ vāmabāhubhiḥ | cakraṃ tathāṃkuśaṃ khaṅgaṃ sāyakaṃ mātuluṃ gakam || 190 ||

Translation

ഇടത് കൈകളിൽ ശംഖം, പാശം, ഖേടം (കവചം/ഢാൽ)യും ചാപം (വില്ല്)യും, കൂടാതെ കഹ്ലാരം (പദ്മം)യും ധരിക്കുന്നു. അതുപോലെ ചക്രം, അങ്കുശം, ഖഡ്ഗം, സായകം (അമ്പ്) 그리고 മാതുലുങ്ഗം (ബീജപൂരഫലം)യും ധരിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• शङ्खम्: conch
• शङ्खम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शङ्ख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पाशम्: noose
• पाशम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• खेट-चापौ: shield and bow
• खेट-चापौ: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खेट + चाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (खेटः च चापः च)

• कह्लारम्: blue lotus (kahlāra)
• कह्लारम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कह्लार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वाम-बाहुभिः: with the left arms/hands
• वाम-बाहुभिः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम + बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (वामाः बाहवः)

• चक्रम्: discus
• चक्रम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तथा: also
• तथा: सम्बन्ध/वाक्योपपादक (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/तुल्यार्थक (also/likewise)

• अङ्कुशम्: goad
• अङ्कुशम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्कुश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• खङ्गम्: sword
• खङ्गम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सायकम्: arrow
• सायकम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सायक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मातुलुङ्गकम्: citron (mātuluṅga)
• मातुलुङ्गकम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मातुलुङ्गक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara brothers, presenting technical/iconographic details)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It codifies the deity’s identifying attributes (āyudhas and symbols) used for correct visualization and worship, ensuring devotion is anchored in proper form (murti-lakṣaṇa) rather than vague imagination.

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

Bhakti is strengthened through disciplined remembrance (smaraṇa) and worship (pūjā) of the Lord’s recognizable emblems—such as conch and discus—so the mind stays fixed on the divine qualities they signify (protection, order, restraint, and victory over ignorance).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual-technical knowledge relevant to kalpa/prayoga (procedural worship): the verse functions as a specification list for iconographic correctness in pūjā, dhyāna, and temple/yantra traditions tied to Vedanga-style precision.