Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 141

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

आसीनमसिताकल्पं शरच्चंद्रनिभाननम् । कैलासाद्रिनिभं त्र्यक्षं चंद्रांकितकपर्दकम् ॥ १४१ ॥

Transliteration

āsīnamasitākalpaṃ śaraccaṃdranibhānanam | kailāsādrinibhaṃ tryakṣaṃ caṃdrāṃkitakapardakam || 141 ||

Translation

เขาได้เห็นพระองค์ประทับนั่ง—กายสีเข้ม พระพักตร์ดุจจันทร์ฤดูสารท; ผ่องใสดุจเขาไกรลาส มีเนตรที่สาม และมวยผมมีเครื่องหมายพระจันทร์เสี้ยว

Word by Word

• आसीनम्: seated
• आसीनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आसीन (कृदन्त; √आस् (धातु) क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषणम् (हरम् इत्यादि)

• असित-आ-कल्पम्: black in appearance/attire
• असित-आ-कल्पम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: असित (प्रातिपदिक) + आकल्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (असितः आकल्पः यस्य)

• शरत्-चन्द्र-निभ-आननम्: with a face like the autumn moon
• शरत्-चन्द्र-निभ-आननम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शरत् (प्रातिपदिक) + चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + निभ (प्रातिपदिक) + आनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (शरच्चन्द्र इव निभं आननं यस्य)

• कैलास-अद्रि-निभम्: like Mount Kailāsa
• कैलास-अद्रि-निभम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कैलास (प्रातिपदिक) + अद्रि (प्रातिपदिक) + निभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (कैलासाद्रिवत् निभः)

• त्रि-अक्षम्: three-eyed
• त्रि-अक्षम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + अक्षि/अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (त्रीणि अक्षीणि यस्य)

• चन्द्र-अङ्कित-कपर्दकम्: whose matted hair is marked with the moon
• चन्द्र-अङ्कित-कपर्दकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्कित (कृदन्त; √अङ्क् (धातु) क्त) + कपर्दक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (चन्द्रेण अङ्कितं कपर्दकं यस्य)

Speaker

Narada (narrating/description within the dialogue tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Kailasa
• Chandra

FAQs

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

It presents a dhyāna-style vision of Śiva—Kailāsa-like, three-eyed, moon-crested—guiding the reader toward contemplative remembrance (smaraṇa) of the deity’s auspicious form.

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

By giving vivid iconographic markers (three eyes, crescent moon, serene moonlike face), the verse supports bhakti through focused visualization and heartfelt reverence toward the Lord’s form.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse mainly serves dhyāna and purāṇic iconography rather than a specific Vedāṅga rule; practically, it aids correct lakṣaṇa (identifying marks) for meditation and worship manuals.