Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 55
Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa
The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala
पवित्रा पीडनी विद्या विश्वेशी शिववल्लभा । अशेषरूपा स्वानंदांबुजाक्षी चाप्यनिंदिता ॥ ५५ ॥
pavitrā pīḍanī vidyā viśveśī śivavallabhā | aśeṣarūpā svānaṃdāṃbujākṣī cāpyaniṃditā || 55 ||
ആ വിദ്യാദേവി പവിത്രമാക്കുന്നവൾ, അഹങ്കാര-അജ്ഞാനത്തെ ശിക്ഷിച്ച് ദമിപ്പിക്കുന്നവൾ; വിശ്വേശി, ശിവവല്ലഭ. അവൾ അനന്തരൂപിണി, സ്വാനന്ദമയി, പദ്മാക്ഷി, നിന്ദാതീത.
Narada (in a hymn-like description of Vidyā/Devi as embodied knowledge, within the Sanatkumara–Narada dialogue flow)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It presents Vidyā as a divine, living power: she purifies the seeker, corrects inner faults, and leads toward liberation through self-bliss and irreproachable wisdom.
By describing Vidyā with devotional epithets (lotus-eyed, beloved of Śiva, sovereign), the verse frames learning as reverent worship—knowledge becomes a form of devotion that transforms the heart.
It underscores the Vedāṅga spirit: disciplined study that ‘chastens’ error and ignorance—supporting correct understanding and application of śāstra (e.g., grammar and other auxiliaries that refine meaning and practice).