Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

विकारिण्याह्वया प्रोक्ता बलाद्या विकरिण्यथ । बलप्रमथनी पश्चात्सर्वभूतदमन्यथ ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

vikāriṇyāhvayā proktā balādyā vikariṇyatha | balapramathanī paścātsarvabhūtadamanyatha || 19 ||

Translation

Beliau dinyatakan dengan nama Vikāriṇī, yakni Kuasa yang Mengubah. Seterusnya ialah Balā (Kekuatan), kemudian Vikāriṇī; selepas itu Balapramathanī (Penunduk Kekuatan), dan kemudian Sarvabhūtadamanī (Penjinak segala makhluk).

Word by Word

• विकारिण्याह्वया: by the name ‘Vikāriṇī’
• विकारिण्याह्वया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विकारिणी + आह्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; समासः विकारिण्याः आह्वया = ‘by the name Vikāriṇī’

• प्रोक्ता: is declared/called
• प्रोक्ता: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + उक्त (कृदन्त; √वच् धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (said/declared); उपसर्गः प्र

• बलाद्या: Balā and the rest (beginning with Balā)
• बलाद्या: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बला + आदि + आ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘बला-आद्या’ = ‘Balā and others/beginning with Balā’

• विकरिणी: Vikariṇī
• विकरिणी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विकरिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; शक्तिनाम

• अथ: then/next
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; आरम्भ/अनन्तर (then/next)

• बलप्रमथनी: Balapramathanī
• बलप्रमथनी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बला + प्रमथनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः बलायाः प्रमथनी = ‘crusher/subduer of strength’ (name)

• पश्चात्: afterwards
• पश्चात्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पश्चात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रमवाचक (afterwards)

• सर्वभूतदमनी: Sarvabhūtadamanī
• सर्वभूतदमनी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + भूत + दमनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः सर्वाणि भूतानि दमयति इति = ‘subduer of all beings’ (name)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रम/अनन्तर (then)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in an enumerative, technical register)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It presents a sequential naming of powers (śaktis), emphasizing how inner forces progress from transformation (Vikāriṇī) to strength (Balā) and finally to restraint and mastery (Balapramathanī, Sarvabhūtadamanī)—a model for disciplined spiritual control.

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

While not directly devotional, it supports bhakti indirectly by describing inner mastery: devotion becomes steady when the mind’s transforming impulses and raw strength are restrained, culminating in the ‘taming’ of all beings—i.e., one’s senses and tendencies.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse reflects a technical, list-based (anukrama/saṅkhyāna) method typical of śāstric instruction—useful for mantra-vidyā and ritual recitation where precise names and sequence matter (a practical discipline aligned with Vedāṅga-style rigor, especially śikṣā and vyākaraṇa-like exactness).