Shloka 56

Description of the Origin of the Cosmic Egg (Brahmāṇḍa) and the Ocean as King of Tīrthas

Devanagari script

श्रोत्रत्वग्घ्राणदृग्जिह्वाविज्ञानेंद्रियरूपकाः । कर्मेंद्रियाणि सुभगे वाग्वोर्मेढ्रांघ्रिपायवः ॥ ५६ ॥

Transliteration

śrotratvagghrāṇadṛgjihvāvijñāneṃdriyarūpakāḥ | karmeṃdriyāṇi subhage vāgvormeḍhrāṃghripāyavaḥ || 56 ||

Translation

ഇന്ദ്രിയങ്ങൾ—ശ്രോത്രം, ത്വക്ക്, ഘ്രാണം, ദൃഷ്ടി, ജിഹ്വ, കൂടാതെ മനസ് (വിജ്ഞാനേന്ദ്രിയം) എന്ന രൂപത്തിലാണ്. ഹേ സുഭഗേ! കര്‍മേന്ദ്രിയങ്ങൾ വാക്, പാണി, മേധ്രം, അംഘ്രി, പായു എന്നിവയാണ്.

Word by Word

• श्रोत्र-त्वक्-घ्राण-दृक्-जिह्वा-विज्ञान-इन्द्रिय-रूपकाः: the forms of the cognitive senses: ear, skin, nose, eye, tongue
• श्रोत्र-त्वक्-घ्राण-दृक्-जिह्वा-विज्ञान-इन्द्रिय-रूपकाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रोत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + त्वच्/त्वक् (प्रातिपदिक) + घ्राण (प्रातिपदिक) + दृश्/दृक् (प्रातिपदिक) + जिह्वा (प्रातिपदिक) + विज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक) + रूपक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः—श्रोत्रादीनि विज्ञान-इन्द्रियाणि, तेषां रूपकाः (forms/types)

• कर्म-इन्द्रियाणि: organs of action
• कर्म-इन्द्रियाणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural; तत्पुरुषः—कर्मणः इन्द्रियाणि (organs of action)

• सुभगे: O fortunate lady
• सुभगे: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुभग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Vocative (सम्बोधन/8), Singular

• वाक्: speech
• वाक्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (collectively listed)

• ऊरु: thighs
• ऊरु: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऊरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (collectively listed)

• मेढ्र: genital organ
• मेढ्र: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेढ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (collectively listed)

• अङ्घ्रि: feet
• अङ्घ्रि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्घ्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (collectively listed)

• पायवः: anus (excretory organ)
• पायवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पायु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It gives a precise Vedic-style map of the cognitive senses and action organs, implying that spiritual progress requires understanding and disciplining these gateways through which desire and karma operate.

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

Bhakti is strengthened by indriya-nigraha: when speech, senses, and actions are directed toward worship, japa, and dharmic conduct, the same organs that bind the soul become instruments of devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

This verse reflects a technical tattva-style enumeration used in Vedic disciplines (especially śikṣā and vyākaraṇa traditions of precise listing and definition), supporting ritual and vrata practice by clarifying which faculties must be kept pure and regulated.