Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 159
The Description of the Four Durgā Mantras
सूर्यहस्तां निरुक्षांकधृतहस्तांबरान्विताम् । प्रवृद्धलोमां तु भृशं कुटिलाकुटिलेक्षणाम् ॥ १५९ ॥
sūryahastāṃ nirukṣāṃkadhṛtahastāṃbarānvitām | pravṛddhalomāṃ tu bhṛśaṃ kuṭilākuṭilekṣaṇām || 159 ||
اس کے ہاتھ سورج کی طرح روشن تھے؛ وہ لباس پہنے ہوئے تھی اور ہاتھ میں ‘نِروکت’ کے نشان والا اشارہ تھامے تھی۔ وہ نہایت پُرروم تھی اور اس کی نگاہ ٹیڑھی اور بےچین کرنے والی تھی۔
Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada, describing a technical/personified figure in the Vedanga context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
The verse uses vivid, almost iconographic description to portray a power or personification connected with Vedic learning—especially Nirukta—indicating that mastery of sacred meaning (artha) can appear formidable and awe-inspiring, not merely ornamental.
Indirectly: by emphasizing correct understanding of Vedic words and meanings (through Nirukta), it supports disciplined scriptural comprehension, which in the Narada Purana is often presented as a foundation for steady Vishnu-bhakti and correct ritual orientation.
Nirukta (etymology/semantic explanation of Vedic terms) is highlighted—pointing to the Vedanga method of interpreting difficult Vedic words via signs, roots, and traditional semantic markers.