Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 147

The Description of the Four Durgā Mantras

Devanagari script

राजपुत्रस्य राज्याप्तिः पंकजैः श्रियमाप्नुयात् । उत्पलैर्वशयेद्विश्वं क्षारैर्मध्वाश्रितैः स्त्रियम् ॥ १४७ ॥

Transliteration

rājaputrasya rājyāptiḥ paṃkajaiḥ śriyamāpnuyāt | utpalairvaśayedviśvaṃ kṣārairmadhvāśritaiḥ striyam || 147 ||

Translation

สำหรับราชกุมาร การบูชาไฟ (โฮมะ) ด้วยดอกบัวทำให้ได้ครองราชย์ และด้วยดอกบัวทำให้ได้ความรุ่งเรืองแห่งศรี (Śrī). ด้วยดอกบัวสีน้ำเงินกล่าวกันว่าสามารถทำให้โลกอยู่ใต้อำนาจ; และด้วยสารด่างผสมน้ำผึ้งย่อมชักนำใจสตรีได้.

Word by Word

• राजपुत्रस्य: of the prince
• राजपुत्रस्य: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजपुत्र (प्रातिपदिक) = राजन् + पुत्र
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative)

• राज्याप्तिः: attainment of kingship
• राज्याप्तिः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्याप्ति (प्रातिपदिक) = राज्य + आप्ति
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (object/goal determinative)

• पंकजैः: with lotuses
• पंकजैः: करण (Karana/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पंकज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन

• श्रियम्: prosperity, fortune
• श्रियम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• आप्नुयात्: may obtain
• आप्नुयात्: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• उत्पलैः: with blue lotuses
• उत्पलैः: करण (Karana/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्पल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन

• वशयेत्: may subdue, may bring under control
• वशयेत्: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; causative sense ‘to bring under control’ (णिच्-अर्थ)

• विश्वम्: the whole world
• विश्वम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• क्षारैः: with alkaline substances
• क्षारैः: करण (Karana/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन

• मधु-आश्रितैः: associated with honey
• मधु-आश्रितैः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मधु + आश्रित (कृदन्त; श्रि/आ-श्रि धातु)
• Form: बहुवचन, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया); पुंलिङ्ग (क्षारैः इति विशेष्य-अन्वय); ‘आश्रित’ = क्त-प्रत्यय (past passive participle) अर्थ: ‘resting on/associated with’; तत्पुरुष

• स्त्रियम्: a woman
• स्त्रियम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (teaching technical/ritual applications within Vedanga-oriented material to the Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: artha

Characters & Entities

• Shri (Lakshmi)

FAQs

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

It illustrates the Purāṇic-Vedāṅga style of linking specific ritual substances (like lotus and honey) with intended results (phala), showing how material aims were traditionally pursued through regulated, symbolic offerings rather than mere force.

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

Bhakti is not taught directly here; instead, the verse reflects auxiliary ritual know-how. In the Narada Purana framework, such techniques are subordinate to dharma and ultimately to devotion—material results are treated as secondary compared to inner purity and devotion to the divine.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Prayoga-oriented ritual science: the selection of specific dravyas (materials) and their prescribed combinations to obtain stated outcomes (phala), a technical feature commonly associated with auxiliary disciplines used in ritual performance.