Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

गुणात्मशक्तिभक्ताय ततोऽनंताय तत्परम् । योगपीठात्मने भूयो नमस्तारादिको मनुः ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

guṇātmaśaktibhaktāya tato'naṃtāya tatparam | yogapīṭhātmane bhūyo namastārādiko manuḥ || 21 ||

Translation

Rồi hãy đảnh lễ người sùng kính Śakti có bản thể là các guṇa; tiếp đến đảnh lễ Đấng Vô Tận; và đảnh lễ Thực Tại Tối Thượng ấy. Lại nữa, Tārā-mantra cùng các mantra khác dâng lời kính bái đến Đấng có tự tánh chính là Yogapīṭha (tòa nền của Yoga).

Word by Word

• guṇa-ātma-śakti-bhaktāya: to the devotee of the guṇa-essential power
• guṇa-ātma-śakti-bhaktāya: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guṇa + ātman + śakti + bhakta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Dative (4/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन); बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (guṇātmāyāḥ śakteḥ bhaktaḥ—devotee of the power whose essence is guṇas)

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/sequence)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• anantāya: to the Infinite (Ananta)
• anantāya: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ananta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Dative (4/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन)

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); demonstrative used adjectivally

• param: supreme/next
• param: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• yoga-pīṭha-ātmane: to the one whose essence is the yoga-seat
• yoga-pīṭha-ātmane: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yoga + pīṭha + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Dative (4/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुषः (yogapīṭhasya ātmā—whose essence is the yogic seat)

• bhūyaḥ: again/further
• bhūyaḥ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/frequency)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bhūyaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• namaḥ: salutation
• namaḥ: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/obeisance)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namaḥ (अव्यय/नमस्-शब्दः)
• Form: Salutation particle; governs Dative (चतुर्थी)

• tārā-ādikaḥ: beginning with Tārā
• tārā-ādikaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tārā + ādika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुषः (tārādayaḥ—beginning with Tārā)

• manuḥ: the mantra/Manu
• manuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Purana dialogue/tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Ananta
• Shakti
• Yoga

FAQs

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

It frames a mantra-sequence (beginning with “Tārā”) as repeated salutations directed to the Infinite and the Supreme, emphasizing that mantra is meant to culminate in devotion and realization of the highest principle.

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

By explicitly offering “namaḥ” to the Infinite and the Supreme, it shows bhakti as reverential surrender through mantra—using sacred sound to orient the mind toward Ananta and the transcendent Reality.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights mantra-prayoga (structured use of a mantra-series) and technical mantra terminology (manuḥ, pīṭha, repeated bhūyaḥ), aligning with Vedanga-style instruction on correct recitation and intent.