Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 139

Rādhā-sambaddha-mantra-vyākhyā

Rādhā-Related Mantras Explained

Devanagari script

बर्हिबर्हिकृतापीडां तच्छत्रां तत्पताकिनीम् । गुंजागुणलसद्वक्षः कुचकुंकुममंडलाम् ॥ १३९ ॥

Transliteration

barhibarhikṛtāpīḍāṃ tacchatrāṃ tatpatākinīm | guṃjāguṇalasadvakṣaḥ kucakuṃkumamaṃḍalām || 139 ||

Translation

นางสวมอาภีฑะที่ทำจากขนนกยูง มีฉัตรและธงปักรายล้อม; อกสว่างด้วยสายลูกปัดกุญชา และที่ถันมีวงกุมกุมประทับอยู่

Word by Word

• बर्हि-बर्हि-कृत-आपीडाम्: wearing a headdress made of peacock plumes
• बर्हि-बर्हि-कृत-आपीडाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बर्हि (प्रातिपदिक) + बर्हि (प्रातिपदिक) + कृत (कृदन्त; √कृ, क्त) + आपीड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; तत्पुरुषसमासः (बर्हिभ्यां कृतः आपीडः यस्याः)

• तत्-छत्राम्: with that parasol
• तत्-छत्राम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + छत्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (तस्य छत्रा/that parasol)

• तत्-पताकिनीम्: bearing that banner/flag
• तत्-पताकिनीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + पताकिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (तस्य पताका अस्याः/that-bannered)

• गुञ्जा-गुण-लसत्-वक्षः: whose chest shines with a guñjā-garland/cord
• गुञ्जा-गुण-लसत्-वक्षः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुञ्जा (प्रातिपदिक) + गुण (प्रातिपदिक) + लसत् (कृदन्त; √लस्, शतृ) + वक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहिसमासः; (यस्य वक्षः गुञ्जागुणेन लसत्); प्रातिपदिकरूपेण स्त्रीलिङ्गे द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (देवीं विशेषयति)

• कुच-कुङ्कुम-मण्डलाम्: with saffron marks/circles on the breasts
• कुच-कुङ्कुम-मण्डलाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुच (प्रातिपदिक) + कुङ्कुम (प्रातिपदिक) + मण्डल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (कुचेषु कुङ्कुमस्य मण्डलम्)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in narrative dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

The verse uses sacred ornamentation (crown, parasol, banners, auspicious marks) to signal divine/royal auspiciousness (śrī-lakṣaṇa), directing the mind toward reverence and devotional contemplation rather than mere physical description.

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

By detailing visible symbols of sanctity and majesty, it supports bhakti through dhyāna (devotional visualization): devotees focus on auspicious attributes and signs, which steadies attention and deepens श्रद्धा (faith).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied śikṣā/śabda-sensitivity and ritual aesthetics used in pūjā and dhyāna—recognizing auspicious markers, materials (guñjā beads, kuṅkuma), and ceremonial insignia (chatra, patākā) as part of traditional liturgical and iconographic knowledge.