Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 170

The Exposition of Nṛsiṁha Worship-Mantras, Nyāsa, Mudrās, Yantras, Kavaca, and Nṛsiṁha Gāyatrī

Devanagari script

शतयज्ञातलं ज्ञेयं ततश्चामलयुग्मकम् । पिङ्गलेक्षणसटादंष्ट्रा दंष्ट्रायुध नखायुध ॥ १७० ॥

Transliteration

śatayajñātalaṃ jñeyaṃ tataścāmalayugmakam | piṅgalekṣaṇasaṭādaṃṣṭrā daṃṣṭrāyudha nakhāyudha || 170 ||

Translation

Ketahuilah wilayah yang dinamai Śatayajñātala; dan sesudah itu ada sepasang Amala. Di sana berdiam makhluk bermata kuning keperangan, berbulu surai dan bertaring—bertaring sebagai senjata dan bercakar sebagai senjata.

Word by Word

• शतयज्ञातलम्: the ground/plane of the hundred-sacrifice
• शतयज्ञातलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत-यज्ञ-तल (प्रातिपदिक; शत + यज्ञ + तल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (यज्ञानां शतम् इति/शतयज्ञस्य तलम्)

• ज्ञेयम्: to be known
• ज्ञेयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु) + यत् (कृत्) → ज्ञेय (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भविष्यत्कर्तव्यतार्थक-भाव्य (gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; ‘to be known’

• ततः: thereafter; then
• ततः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; अर्थे—‘thereafter/from that’ (तस्मात्/अनन्तरम्)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• अमलयुग्मकम्: the pure pair (twin set)
• अमलयुग्मकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमल-युग्मक (प्रातिपदिक; अमल + युग्मक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (‘amalaṃ yugaṃ/युग्मकं’ = pure pair)

• पिङ्गल-ईक्षण-सटा-दंष्ट्राः: (those) having tawny eyes, mane, and fangs
• पिङ्गल-ईक्षण-सटा-दंष्ट्राः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पिङ्गल + ईक्षण + सटा + दंष्ट्रा (प्रातिपदिक; बहुपद-समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; समासः—बहुव्रीहिः (‘यासां पिङ्गले ईक्षणे, सटा, दंष्ट्रा च सन्ति’ = having tawny eyes, mane, and fangs)

• दंष्ट्रायुध: (one) whose weapon is fangs
• दंष्ट्रायुध: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दंष्ट्रा-आयुध (प्रातिपदिक; दंष्ट्रा + आयुध)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन (सम्बोधन/विशेषणवत् प्रयोगः); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (करण-तत्पुरुषः: दंष्ट्रा एव आयुधम् यस्य)

• नखायुध: (one) whose weapon is claws
• नखायुध: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नख-आयुध (प्रातिपदिक; नख + आयुध)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन (सम्बोधन/विशेषणवत् प्रयोगः); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (करण-तत्पुरुषः: नखाः एव आयुधम् यस्य)

Speaker

Sage Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It catalogues lower cosmic regions and their fearsome guardians, reinforcing the Purāṇic lesson that adharma leads to terrifying states of existence and that one should pursue dharma and purification.

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

Indirectly: by contrasting frightening lower realms with the safety found in righteous living and devotion, it motivates the listener to take refuge in sattvic conduct and God-centered practice rather than harmful actions.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

A technical, enumerative style of cosmography (systematic naming and sequencing of realms) typical of Purāṇic instruction; it supports disciplined study and correct retention of doctrinal lists used in teaching and recitation.