Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 58

The Description of the Four Durgā Mantras

Devanagari script

प्रधानदेवता वर्णभूषणाद्यैरलंकृताः । अक्षस्रक्पुस्तकाभीतिवरदाढ्यकरांबुजाः ॥ ५८ ॥

Transliteration

pradhānadevatā varṇabhūṣaṇādyairalaṃkṛtāḥ | akṣasrakpustakābhītivaradāḍhyakarāṃbujāḥ || 58 ||

Translation

صدر دیوتا رنگوں اور زیورات وغیرہ سے آراستہ ہیں؛ اور ان کے کنول جیسے ہاتھ جپ مالا، سَرَک (ہار)، کتاب، اَبھَی مُدرَا اور وَرَد مُدرَا سے بھرپور ہیں۔

Word by Word

• प्रधानदेवताः: the principal deities
• प्रधानदेवताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रधान + देवता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय: प्रधानाः देवताः; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (fem. nom. pl.)

• वर्णभूषणाद्यैः: with colors, ornaments, and the like
• वर्णभूषणाद्यैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण + भूषण + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार/तत्पुरुष-प्राय: वर्ण-भूषण-आदि; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन (instr. pl.)

• अलङ्कृताः: adorned, decorated
• अलङ्कृताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अलङ्कृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि/भूतकालिक विशेषण; प्रथमा, बहुवचन; (here agreeing with देवताः)

• अक्ष: rosary beads / dice (here: rosary)
• अक्ष: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Compound-member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (as compound member)

• स्रक्: garland
• स्रक्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Compound-member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्रज्/स्रक् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (as compound member)

• पुस्तक: book
• पुस्तक: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Compound-member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुस्तक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (as compound member)

• अभीति: fearlessness (gesture of protection)
• अभीति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Compound-member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (as compound member)

• वरद: boon-giving (gesture)
• वरद: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Compound-member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (as compound member)

• आढ्य: rich, splendid
• आढ्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Compound-member)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण; (as compound member)

• कराम्बुजाः: lotus-like hands
• कराम्बुजाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर + अम्बुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय: अम्बुज-सदृशाः कराः; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (nom. pl.)

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara tradition, describing technical/vidyā-related deities)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It presents the presiding deities as embodiments of sacred learning: the rosary signifies japa and discipline, the book signifies śāstra, and the abhaya/varada gestures signify protection and grace given to sincere seekers.

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

By emphasizing approachable divine symbols—fearlessness and boon-giving—it frames devotion as a relationship of surrender where worship supported by japa and śāstra-study yields inner confidence and divine assistance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse points to a Vedāṅga-oriented practice: disciplined mantra-recitation (akṣa/rosary) and textual study (pustaka), foundational to śikṣā, vyākaraṇa, and other technical sciences preserved through memorization and correct recitation.