Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 167

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

भूतार्तस्य स्मृतं मूर्ध्नि भूतमाशु विनाशयेत् । पीडितांगे स्मृतं तत्तत्पीडां शमयति ध्रुवम् ॥ १६७ ॥

Transliteration

bhūtārtasya smṛtaṃ mūrdhni bhūtamāśu vināśayet | pīḍitāṃge smṛtaṃ tattatpīḍāṃ śamayati dhruvam || 167 ||

Translation

ഭൂതപീഡിതന്റെ ശിരസ്സിൽ ഇത് സ്മരിച്ചു ജപിച്ചാൽ ആ ഭൂതം വേഗത്തിൽ നശിക്കും. പീഡിതമായ അവയവത്തിൽ സ്മരിച്ചാൽ ആ പ്രത്യേക വേദന ഉറപ്പായി ശമിക്കും.

Word by Word

• bhūta-ārtasya: of one afflicted by a spirit
• bhūta-ārtasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūta (प्रातिपदिक) + ārta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन); समासः तत्पुरुषः (bhūtena ārtaḥ) ‘one afflicted by a spirit’

• smṛtam: (when) recited/remembered
• smṛtam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: smṛta (कृदन्त, √smṛ धातु)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); क्त (PPP) ‘remembered/recited’ used adjectivally (i.e., ‘when recited’)

• mūrdhni: on the head
• mūrdhni: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūrdhan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhūtam: the spirit/ghost
• bhūtam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• āśu: quickly
• āśu: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: āśu (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय)

• vināśayet: would destroy
• vināśayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi√naś (धातु)
• Form: Optative/विधिलिङ् (Potential), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• pīḍita-aṅge: in a pained limb
• pīḍita-aṅge: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pīḍita (कृदन्त, √pīḍ धातु) + aṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); समासः तत्पुरुषः (pīḍite aṅge) ‘in a pained limb/body-part’

• smṛtam: (when) recited
• smṛtam: Karta/Ādhāra of statement (कर्ता/आश्रय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: smṛta (कृदन्त, √smṛ धातु)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); क्त (PPP) ‘remembered/recited’ used adjectivally

• tat-tat-pīḍām: each such pain
• tat-tat-pīḍām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + tat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + pīḍā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); पुनरुक्त-विशेषणयुक्त कर्मधारयः ‘that-that’ = ‘each respective’

• śamayati: pacifies
• śamayati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śam (धातु)
• Form: Present/लट् (Indicative), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• dhruvam: certainly
• dhruvam: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: dhruva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial accusative (अव्ययीभाववत्/क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण द्वितीया) used as indeclinable sense ‘certainly’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It presents mantra-smaraṇa (recollection/recitation) as a dharmic remedial application: directed recitation is said to remove subtle afflictions (bhūta-upadrava) and calm physical suffering, showing the Purana’s integration of spiritual practice with practical well-being.

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

Though framed as a technical remedy, it supports bhakti in practice by emphasizing faithful remembrance (smaraṇa) and recitation as a means to invoke protective spiritual power; devotion expressed through consistent smaraṇa is treated as efficacious.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects mantra-prayoga (applied recitation) and viniyoga-like specificity—where the place of application (head vs. afflicted limb) is prescribed—typical of technical, ritual-application knowledge associated with Vedanga-style practice.