Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 181

The Exposition of the Krishna Mantra (Kṛṣṇa-mantra-prakāśa): Nyāsa, Dhyāna, Worship, Yantra, and Prayoga

Devanagari script

वामपादांबुजाग्रेण मुष्णता पल्लवच्छविम् । रुक्मिणीसत्यभामेऽस्य मूर्ध्नि रत्नौघधारया ॥ १८१ ॥

Transliteration

vāmapādāṃbujāgreṇa muṣṇatā pallavacchavim | rukmiṇīsatyabhāme'sya mūrdhni ratnaughadhārayā || 181 ||

Translation

वाम कमलचरणाच्या अग्रभागाने नवपल्लवाची कोवळी छटा जणू चोरून, श्रीकृष्णाच्या मस्तकी रुक्मिणी व सत्यभामेने रत्नांची अखंड धारा ओतली।

Word by Word

• वाम-पाद-अम्बुज-अग्रेण: with the tip of the lotus-like left foot
• वाम-पाद-अम्बुज-अग्रेण: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम (प्रातिपदिक) + पाद (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्बुज (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—(वामस्य पादस्य अम्बुजस्य अग्रेण)

• मुष्णता: stealing (by stealing)
• मुष्णता: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial participle/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मुṣ् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ/Present active participle), तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग रूपेण—‘by/while stealing’

• पल्लव-च्छविम्: the tender-shoot-like radiance
• पल्लव-च्छविम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पल्लव (प्रातिपदिक) + छवि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म/Object), एकवचन; समासः—पल्लवस्य छविः (tender-shoot-like radiance)

• रुक्मिणी-सत्यभामे: Rukmiṇī and Satyabhāmā
• रुक्मिणी-सत्यभामे: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुक्मिणी (प्रातिपदिक) + सत्यभामा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (two persons)

• अस्य: of him
• अस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध/Genitive), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• मूर्ध्नि: on (his) head
• मूर्ध्नि: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्धन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण/Locative), एकवचन

• रत्न-ओघ-धारया: with a stream of a flood of jewels
• रत्न-ओघ-धारया: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न (प्रातिपदिक) + ओघ (प्रातिपदिक) + धारा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—रत्नानाम् ओघः (flood) तस्य धारा (stream)

Speaker

Narada (narrating within the dialogue with Sanatkumara)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Rukmini
• Satyabhama

FAQs

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

It portrays bhakti as intimate loving service (sevā): the Lord’s lotus-foot is supreme and incomparable, while the devotees’ lavish offerings (a “stream of gems”) symbolize total dedication and reverence directed to His head—placing the Divine at the highest seat.

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

Bhakti is shown as affectionate, personal worship—beautifying and honoring the Lord through loving acts. The queens’ offering is not mere wealth-display; it is devotion expressed through continuous, joyful giving and attentive service to Krishna.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse mainly reflects pūjā-upacāra (ritual etiquette of honoring the deity) rather than a specific Vedāṅga technique; it highlights the principle of offering valuable, pure, and fitting items in worship as an applied dharmic practice.