Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 6

The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca

Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta

Devanagari script

महारथवरे दीप्तनानायुधविराजिते । सुस्थितं विपुलोदारं सहस्रभुजमंडितम् ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

mahārathavare dīptanānāyudhavirājite | susthitaṃ vipulodāraṃ sahasrabhujamaṃḍitam || 6 ||

Translation

Trên cỗ đại chiến xa tối thắng ấy, rực sáng bởi muôn loại vũ khí, hiện đứng một Thánh tướng vững chãi, an trụ, rộng lớn và uy nghi, trang nghiêm với ngàn cánh tay.

Word by Word

• mahā-ratha-vare: in the excellent great chariot
• mahā-ratha-vare: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + ratha (प्रातिपदिक) + vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); विशेषण—‘in/at the excellent great chariot’

• dīpta-nānā-āyudha-virājite: resplendent with many shining weapons
• dīpta-nānā-āyudha-virājite: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīpta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + nānā (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + āyudha (प्रातिपदिक) + virājita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; विशेषण—qualifying mahārathavare; ‘in (that) resplendent with many shining weapons’

• su-sthitam: well-positioned
• su-sthitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + sthita (कृदन्त; √sthā स्था)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; past participle (क्त) used adjectivally—‘well-positioned/standing firm’

• vipula-udāram: vast and noble
• vipula-udāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vipula (प्रातिपदिक) + udāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; विशेषण—‘broad and noble/lofty’

• sahasra-bhuja-maṇḍitam: adorned with a thousand arms
• sahasra-bhuja-maṇḍitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sahasra (प्रातिपदिक) + bhuja (प्रातिपदिक) + maṇḍita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √maṇḍ मण्ड्)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; past participle (क्त) used adjectivally—‘adorned with a thousand arms’

Speaker

Narada (narration within the Vedanga/technical section context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

FAQs

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

It depicts overwhelming divine sovereignty and protection—radiance, weapons, and the thousand-armed form symbolize inexhaustible power to uphold dharma and remove obstacles.

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

By presenting a majestic, awe-inspiring vision of the divine, it supports bhakti through dhyāna (devotional contemplation): the devotee steadies the mind on the Lord’s splendor and safeguarding might.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It aligns with ritual-dhyāna and mantra-visualization practice used alongside Vedanga disciplines—especially Śikṣā (phonetics for mantra recitation) and Kalpa (ritual procedure) where vivid divine imagery supports focused worship.