Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 103

The Account of the Lalitā Hymn, the Protective Armor

Kavaca), and the Thousand Names (Sahasranāma

Devanagari script

भाषा सरस्वती वाणी संस्कृता परा । बहुरूपा चित्तरूपा रम्यानंदा च कौतुका ॥ १०३ ॥

Transliteration

bhāṣā sarasvatī vāṇī saṃskṛtā parā | bahurūpā cittarūpā ramyānaṃdā ca kautukā || 103 ||

Translation

വാക്ക് സ്വയം സരസ്വതീ—സംസ്കൃതം പരാവാണി; അവൾ ബഹുരൂപിണി, ചിത്തരൂപിണി, രമണീയ, ആനന്ദദായിനി, അത്ഭുതഹേതു।

Word by Word

• भाषा: speech, language
• भाषा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाषा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• सरस्वती: Sarasvatī
• सरस्वती: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरस्वती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वाणी: voice, speech
• वाणी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• संस्कृता: refined, perfected
• संस्कृता: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संस्कृत (कृदन्त; √कृ धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past Passive Participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• परा: supreme, transcendent
• परा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• बहुरूपा: many-formed
• बहुरूपा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारय (बहुं रूपं यस्याः/बहुरूपा)

• चित्तरूपा: having the form of mind
• चित्तरूपा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्त + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (चित्तस्य रूपा)

• रम्यानंदा: delightful bliss
• रम्यानंदा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रम्य + आनन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (रम्यः आनन्दः यस्याः/रम्यानन्दा)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• कौतुकā: playful, wondrous
• कौतुकā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कौतुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Sarasvati

FAQs

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

It identifies refined speech (Sanskrit) with Sarasvatī and presents sacred language as “supreme” because it conveys mantra, śāstra, and inner meaning that elevates the mind toward clarity and dharma.

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

By praising sacred speech as bliss-giving and wondrous, it supports bhakti practices like nāma-japa and stotra—devotion becomes steady when utterance is refined, mindful, and aligned with śāstric meaning.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It points to Śabda-śāstra concerns central to Vedāṅga learning—especially Vyākaraṇa (grammar) and Śikṣā (phonetics)—showing that correct, refined expression is foundational for mantra and textual study.