Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56

Rādhā-sambaddha-mantra-vyākhyā

Rādhā-Related Mantras Explained

Devanagari script

स्थिराधरान्विता हंसो व्याप्तेन च चरेण च । रसः स्थिरा ततो व्याप्तं भूयुतं शून्यमग्नियुक् ॥ ५६ ॥

Transliteration

sthirādharānvitā haṃso vyāptena ca careṇa ca | rasaḥ sthirā tato vyāptaṃ bhūyutaṃ śūnyamagniyuk || 56 ||

Translation

ഹംസൻ (അന്തരാത്മാവ്) സ്ഥിരാധാരത്തിൽ ആശ്രിതനായി, വ്യാപ്തമായതിലും ചരമായതിലും സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്നു. രസം സ്ഥിരം; അതിൽ നിന്നു വ്യാപ്താവസ്ഥ ഉദ്ഭവിക്കുന്നു—സമൃദ്ധം, ശൂന്യസദൃശം, അഗ്നിയുക്തം.

Word by Word

• स्थिरा-धर-अन्विता: endowed with Sthirā and Dhara
• स्थिरा-धर-अन्विता: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्थिरा + धर + अन्वित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; feminine nominative singular; समास: तत्पुरुष (स्थिराधरेण अन्विता / ‘endowed with sthirā and dhara’)

• हंसः: Haṃsa (name/form)
• हंसः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हंस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; masculine nominative singular

• व्याप्तेन: with/by Vyāpta (pervaded/pervading)
• व्याप्तेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्याप्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; instrumental singular (with ‘by/with the pervaded/pervader’)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• चरेण: with/by Cara
• चरेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; instrumental singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• रसः: Rasa
• रसः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• स्थिरा: Sthirā
• स्थिरा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थिरा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ततः: then
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनन्तरार्थक

• व्याप्तम्: Vyāpta (pervasion element)
• व्याप्तम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्याप्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; neuter nom/acc singular

• भू-युतम्: joined with earth
• भू-युतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भू + युत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; neuter nom/acc singular; समास: तत्पुरुष (भूना युतम्)

• शून्यम्: void/zero
• शून्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शून्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; neuter nom/acc singular

• अग्नि-युक्: joined with fire
• अग्नि-युक्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अग्नि + युक् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; neuter nom/acc singular; समास: तत्पुरुष (अग्निना युक्तम्)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a Vedanga/technical context; dialogue tradition with Sanatkumara lineage implied for Book 1.3)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Hamsa
• Agni

FAQs

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

It presents Haṁsa as the inner Self that abides on a stable foundation yet operates through both the pervasive and the mobile principles, culminating in a subtle, ‘void-like’ all-pervading state energized by agni—an image for inner transformation and realization.

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

While framed technically, it supports Bhakti by pointing to the indwelling Haṁsa as the true refuge; devotion steadies the ‘base’ (sthirādhāra) and kindles inner agni, enabling the seeker to perceive the all-pervading Lord-like presence beyond gross movement.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse reflects a technical, Vedanga-style mapping of principles (pervading vs. moving, rasa, agni) used in disciplined practice—useful for understanding ritual/agni symbolism and yogic-physiological interpretations often paired with Shiksha/Nirukta-style explanatory methods.