Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

The Account of the Ekādaśī Vow Observed Throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

स्थापयेत्प्रतिमां विष्णोः शंखचक्रगदांबुजैः । लसच्चतुर्भुजामग्र्यां कांचनीं वाथ राजतीम् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

sthāpayetpratimāṃ viṣṇoḥ śaṃkhacakragadāṃbujaiḥ | lasaccaturbhujāmagryāṃ kāṃcanīṃ vātha rājatīm || 20 ||

Translation

Hãy an vị tượng Thượng Đế Viṣṇu cầm ốc, luân xa, chùy và hoa sen—thân tướng bốn tay tối thắng, rực sáng—được tạo bằng vàng hoặc bằng bạc.

Word by Word

• sthāpayet: should install/place
• sthāpayet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sthā (धातु) [णिच् causative: स्थापयति]
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada); अर्थः—स्थापयेत् (should स्थापित)

• pratimām: an image (idol)
• pratimām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pratimā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• viṣṇoḥ: of Viṣṇu
• viṣṇoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• śaṃkha-cakra-gadā-ambujaiḥ: with conch, discus, mace, and lotus
• śaṃkha-cakra-gadā-ambujaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṃkha (प्रातिपदिक) + cakra (प्रातिपदिक) + gadā (प्रातिपदिक) + ambuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter) (collective), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural); समासः—शंखश्च चक्रं च गदा च अम्बुजं च (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व)

• lasat-catur-bhujām: shining, four-armed
• lasat-catur-bhujām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lasat (कृदन्त/वर्तमानकृदन्त from √las) + catur (संख्या) + bhuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—लसन्ती चतुर्भुजा यस्या सा (विशेषणरूपेण; चतुर्भुजा = चतुर्+भुज (द्विगु/तत्पुरुषभावः))

• agryām: excellent
• agryām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: agrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषणम्—प्रतिमायाः

• kāṃcanīm: golden
• kāṃcanīm: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāṃcanī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषणम्—प्रतिमायाः

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• atha: then/also
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable), अनन्तरार्थक/प्रस्तावक (then/also)

• rājatīm: silver (made of silver)
• rājatīm: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rājatī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषणम्—प्रतिमायाः

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the dialogue context of Book 1.4)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Ekādaśī (Āṣāḍha śukla) context

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that devotion is anchored in a proper sacred form (pratimā) of Viṣṇu—installed with His defining emblems—so worship is directed to the Lord’s complete, auspicious identity rather than a vague idea.

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

Bhakti is expressed through reverent, rule-based worship: installing a radiant four-armed Viṣṇu with śaṅkha, cakra, gadā, and padma creates a focused devotional relationship and supports steady daily pūjā.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure (kalpa/ācāra) is implied: iconography standards and material suitability (gold/silver) are part of disciplined temple/home worship practice aligned with śāstric injunctions.