Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 134

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

विविधद्रुमशाखाभिः सर्वतो वारितातपे । सुपुष्पितैर्लताजालैराश्लिष्टकुसुमद्रुमे ॥ १३४ ॥

Transliteration

vividhadrumaśākhābhiḥ sarvato vāritātape | supuṣpitairlatājālairāśliṣṭakusumadrume || 134 ||

Translation

അവിടെ പലവിധ വൃക്ഷശാഖകൾ എല്ലാടവും സൂര്യതാപം തടഞ്ഞുനിന്നു. അത്യന്തം പുഷ്പിതമായ ലതാജാലങ്ങൾ ആലിംഗനം ചെയ്ത പുഷ്പവൃക്ഷങ്ങൾ മനോഹരമായി ശോഭിച്ചു।

Word by Word

• vividha-druma-śākhābhiḥ: by various tree-branches
• vividha-druma-śākhābhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vividha (प्रातिपदिक) + druma (प्रातिपदिक) + śākhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (f.) (śākhā), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instrumental/3rd), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• sarvataḥ: on all sides
• sarvataḥ: Deśa (देश/Spatial adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarvataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (indeclinable adverb)

• vārita-ātape: where sunlight/heat is warded off
• vārita-ātape: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vārita (प्रातिपदिक; क्त from √vṛ ‘to ward off’) + ātapa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.) (agreeing with implied taṭe/deśe), Saptamī vibhakti (Locative/7th), Ekavacana (Singular)

• su-puṣpitaiḥ: with well-flowering (ones)
• su-puṣpitaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + puṣpita (प्रातिपदिक; क्त from √puṣp)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.)/Napुंसakaliṅga (n.) (agreeing with latājālaiḥ), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instrumental/3rd), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• latā-jālaiḥ: with networks of creepers
• latā-jālaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: latā (प्रातिपदिक) + jāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (n.), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instrumental/3rd), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• āśliṣṭa-kusuma-drume: on a tree with flowers closely entwined/covered (by creepers)
• āśliṣṭa-kusuma-drume: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āśliṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक; क्त from ā-√śliṣ) + kusuma (प्रातिपदिक) + druma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Saptamī vibhakti (Locative/7th), Ekavacana (Singular)

Speaker

Narada (narrative description within the dialogue context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It portrays a protected, sattvic environment—cool, shaded, and flower-filled—typical of sacred spaces where dharma and higher knowledge are pursued without disturbance.

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

Though not a direct bhakti instruction, it frames devotion as best nurtured in a pure setting: a calm, beautiful grove supports steady remembrance, worship, and contemplation.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga technique is taught in this verse; it functions as scene-setting, describing the ideal ashrama-like landscape where study of śāstra and disciplined practice can proceed.