Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 137

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

जलजैः स्थलजैः पुष्पैरामोदिभिरलंकृते । आद्यैः शुकाद्यैर्मुनिभिरजस्रसुखसेविते ॥ १३७ ॥

Transliteration

jalajaiḥ sthalajaiḥ puṣpairāmodibhiralaṃkṛte | ādyaiḥ śukādyairmunibhirajasrasukhasevite || 137 ||

Translation

Ia dihiasi bunga-bunga harum yang lahir di air dan di darat; dan sentiasa diziarahi dalam kebahagiaan oleh para resi purba—Śuka dan yang lain-lain.

Word by Word

• jalajaiḥ: with water-born (flowers)
• jalajaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jalaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (as qualifying puṣpaiḥ), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• sthalajaiḥ: with land-born (flowers)
• sthalajaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sthalaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (as qualifying puṣpaiḥ), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• puṣpaiḥ: with flowers
• puṣpaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• āmodibhiḥ: fragrant
• āmodibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āmodin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (as qualifying puṣpaiḥ), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; āmodin = ‘fragrant’

• alaṃkṛte: adorned
• alaṃkṛte: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: alaṃ√kṛ (धातु) → alaṃkṛta (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/Past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• ādyaiḥ: by the foremost
• ādyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ādya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• śuka-ādyaiḥ: with Śuka and others
• śuka-ādyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuka (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (śukaḥ ādiḥ yeṣām)

• munibhiḥ: by sages
• munibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• ajasra-sukha-sevite: resorted to with unceasing happiness
• ajasra-sukha-sevite: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ajasra (प्रातिपदिक) + sukha (प्रातिपदिक) + √sev (धातु) → sevita (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘sevita’, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (ajasraṃ sukhaṃ; tena sevitaṃ)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

Characters & Entities

• Shuka

FAQs

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

The verse portrays an ideal sacred realm—pure, fragrant, and sanctified by the constant presence of realized sages—implying that such rishi-sevita places naturally support serenity, tapas, and liberation-oriented contemplation.

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

By emphasizing a space continually graced by great sages like Śuka, the verse points to the bhakti principle of satsanga: proximity to saintly devotees and holy environments intensifies remembrance of the Divine and stabilizes devotional practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Indirectly, it highlights the Vedanga ideal of a proper adhikara and setting for study—quiet, pure, and rishi-associated—supporting disciplines like Śikṣā (recitation), Vyākaraṇa (grammar), and Kalpa (ritual procedure) through conducive ambience and learned company.