Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 55

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

शिरोवदनहृद्गुह्यपाददेशे यथाक्रमात् । उर्द्धप्राग्दक्षिणोदीच्यपश्चिमेषु मुखेषु च ॥ ५५ ॥

Transliteration

śirovadanahṛdguhyapādadeśe yathākramāt | urddhaprāgdakṣiṇodīcyapaścimeṣu mukheṣu ca || 55 ||

Translation

ଯଥାକ୍ରମେ ଶିର, ମୁଖ, ହୃଦୟ, ଗୁହ୍ୟ-ପ୍ରଦେଶ ଓ ପାଦ-ପ୍ରଦେଶରେ—ଊର୍ଧ୍ୱ, ପୂର୍ବ, ଦକ୍ଷିଣ, ଉତ୍ତର ଓ ପଶ୍ଚିମାଭିମୁଖ ମୁଖ ଅଛି।

Word by Word

• śiraḥ-vadana-hṛt-guhya-pāda-deśe: in the places (regions) of head, face, heart, groin, and feet
• śiraḥ-vadana-hṛt-guhya-pāda-deśe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras + vadana + hṛd + guhya + pāda + deśa (प्रातिपदिकानि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/समाहार-स्थानीयः (in/at the region of head, face, heart, secret part, feet)

• yathā-kramāt: in due order
• yathā-kramāt: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā + krama (अव्यय + प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय (adverb)

• ūrdhva-prāk-dakṣiṇa-udīcya-paścimeṣu: in the upper, east, south, north, and west (directions)
• ūrdhva-prāk-dakṣiṇa-udīcya-paścimeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ūrdhva + prāc + dakṣiṇa + udīcya + paścima (प्रातिपदिकानि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; दिशावाचक-द्वन्द्वः (in the upper, eastern, southern, northern, western [faces/places])

• mukheṣu: in the faces/mouths
• mukheṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a technical/Vedanga context)

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 teaches a disciplined correspondence between body-points and cosmic directions, implying that ritual practice sanctifies the practitioner by aligning the microcosm (body) with the macrocosm (dik/space).

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

Though technical, it supports bhakti-based worship by prescribing orderly bodily and directional orientation used in mantra and pūjā, helping the devotee maintain focus, purity, and reverence during Vishnu-centered rites.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedāṅga-Śikṣā style procedural knowledge is implied—how to apply ordered placements/orientations (useful in nyāsa and ritual setup) by associating specific body loci with specific directions.