Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 182

Mahāviṣṇu-Mantras: Aṣṭākṣarī, Sudarśana-Astra, Nyāsa Systems, Āvaraṇa-Pūjā, and Prayogas

Devanagari script

बन्धूककुसुमाभासाःमुक्ताहारलसत्कुचाः । उत्फुल्लांभघोजनयना मदविभ्रममंथराः ॥ १८२ ॥

Transliteration

bandhūkakusumābhāsāḥmuktāhāralasatkucāḥ | utphullāṃbhaghojanayanā madavibhramamaṃtharāḥ || 182 ||

Translation

Mereka bersinar laksana kuntum bunga bandhūka; dada mereka berkilau dihiasi kalung mutiara. Mata bak teratai terbuka lebar; mabuk oleh permainan asmara, gerak mereka lembut, perlahan dan berayun.

Word by Word

• बन्धूक-कुसुम-आभासाः: having the appearance of bandhūka-flowers
• बन्धूक-कुसुम-आभासाः: विशेषण (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बन्धूक (प्रातिपदिक) + कुसुम (प्रातिपदिक) + आभास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (बन्धूककुसुमस्य आभासः)

• मुक्ता-हार-लसत्-कुचाः: whose breasts shine with pearl-necklaces
• मुक्ता-हार-लसत्-कुचाः: विशेषण (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुक्ता (प्रातिपदिक) + हार (प्रातिपदिक) + लसत् (कृदन्त, √लस्) + कुच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (मुक्ताहारेण लसन्तः कुचाः यस्याः/येषाम्)

• उत्फुल्ल-अम्भोज-नयनाः: having eyes like fully-bloomed lotuses
• उत्फुल्ल-अम्भोज-नयनाः: विशेषण (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्फुल्ल (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्भोज (प्रातिपदिक) + नयन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (उत्फुल्लम् अम्भोजम् इव नयनम्)

• मद-विभ्रम-मन्थराः: slow/soft with intoxicated coquettishness
• मद-विभ्रम-मन्थराः: विशेषण (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मद (प्रातिपदिक) + विभ्रम (प्रातिपदिक) + मन्थर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (मदविभ्रमेण मन्थराः)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada, descriptive narration within the Adhyaya)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

This verse uses vivid kāvya-style imagery to portray worldly fascination (kāma-rasa). In the Purāṇic setting, such descriptions often serve as a contrast—highlighting how sensory beauty can captivate the mind, which later teachings redirect toward dharma and higher knowledge.

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

Indirectly: by presenting the allure of sensual charm, it sets up the need for directing attention away from mere sense-enjoyment toward steadier devotion. In Narada Purana’s broader voice, bhakti becomes the means to transform attraction into remembrance of the divine rather than attachment to fleeting forms.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse exemplifies a Vedāṅga-adjacent literary technique—clear simile and aesthetic diction—useful for Chandas (prosody) and Vyākaraṇa (compound formation like bandhūka-kusumābhāsa, muktā-hāra). It demonstrates how precise compounds and imagery convey meaning compactly.