Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 81
The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca
Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta
आशीविषाः कालकूटा महाहालाहलाह्वयाः । जलसर्पा जलव्याला जलग्राहाश्च कच्छपाः ॥ ८१ ॥
āśīviṣāḥ kālakūṭā mahāhālāhalāhvayāḥ | jalasarpā jalavyālā jalagrāhāśca kacchapāḥ || 81 ||
آشی وِش سانپ، کالکُوٹ زہر، اور ‘مہا ہالاہل’ کے نام سے مشہور زہر؛ آبی سانپ، آبی دیو، آبی مگرمچھ اور کچھوے—یہ سب یہاں مذکور ہیں۔
Narada (in a didactic/technical listing within the Third Pada context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka (fear)
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)
FAQs
It functions as a śāstric enumeration of feared forces—poisons and dangerous aquatic beings—reminding the listener that worldly hazards are many and that discernment and protective dharma are necessary in embodied life.
While not explicitly teaching bhakti, the verse supports a common Purāṇic bhakti theme: the world contains threats beyond ordinary control, so one cultivates refuge (śaraṇāgati) and steadiness of mind—found most fully through devotion to the Lord.
The verse reflects technical lexicon and classificatory knowledge—akin to Nirukta/Kośa usage—by naming specific poisons and aquatic creatures precisely, useful for clear understanding in ritual, narrative, and instructional contexts.