Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 123

The Recitation of the Thousand Names of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa (Yugala-Sahasranāma) and Śaraṇāgati-Dharma

Devanagari script

अतसीकुसुमप्रख्यः सदा लक्ष्मीकृपाकरः । त्रिपुरारिप्रियकरो ह्युग्रधन्वापराजितः ॥ १२३ ॥

Transliteration

atasīkusumaprakhyaḥ sadā lakṣmīkṛpākaraḥ | tripurāripriyakaro hyugradhanvāparājitaḥ || 123 ||

Translation

祂光辉如阿塔西花（atasī）之绽放，恒为吉祥天女拉克什米（Lakṣmī）恩泽的施与者；祂为诛灭三城者（Tripura-hantā，湿婆）所钟爱，而以乌格拉丹瓦（Ugradhanvā）之名，祂即阿帕罗阇多（Aparājita）——不可战胜者。

Word by Word

• atasī-kusuma-prakhyaḥ: like an atasī flower
• atasī-kusuma-prakhyaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of implied subject
• Type: Adjective
• Root: atasī (प्रातिपदिक) + kusuma (प्रातिपदिक) + prakhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; ‘resembling the atasī flower’

• sadā: always
• sadā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb (कालवाचक)

• lakṣmī-kṛpā-karaḥ: bestower of Lakṣmī’s grace
• lakṣmī-kṛpā-karaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of implied subject
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lakṣmī (प्रातिपदिक) + kṛpā (प्रातिपदिक) + kara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; ‘maker/bestower of Lakṣmī’s grace’ or ‘one who gives grace (prosperity)’

• tripura-ari-priya-karaḥ: one who pleases Tripurāri (Śiva)
• tripura-ari-priya-karaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of implied subject
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tripura (प्रातिपदिक) + ari (प्रातिपदिक) + priya (प्रातिपदिक) + kara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; ‘one who does what is dear to the enemy of Tripura (Śiva)’

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha/Emphasis particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; particle (निपात) अर्थे ‘indeed/for’

• ugra-dhanvā-aparājitaḥ: undefeated by Ugradhanvā
• ugra-dhanvā-aparājitaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of implied subject
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ugra-dhanvan (प्रातिपदिक; ‘Ugradhanvā’ proper name) + aparājita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक from a- + √ji जय, क्त)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; ‘not defeated by Ugradhanvā’ / ‘invincible to Ugradhanvā’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (instructing Narada in a technical/recitational list of divine epithets used in worship)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmi
• Shiva (Tripurari)
• Ugradhanva (divine epithet)

FAQs

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

It presents devotional epithets that function as contemplative “handles” in japa: the deity is praised as radiant, grace-bestowing (Lakṣmī’s favor), universally revered (dear even to Tripurāri), and ultimately invincible—supporting faith and steadiness in worship.

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

Bhakti here is expressed through nāma-stuti (praise by names): meditating on beauty (radiance), compassion/prosperity (Lakṣmī-kṛpā), and divine supremacy (aparājita) shapes the devotee’s inner attitude into trust, reverence, and single-pointed remembrance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects mantra-anga practice within the Vedāṅga-oriented section: careful use of compound epithets (e.g., lakṣmī-kṛpā-karaḥ, tripurāri-priya-karaḥ) suited for recitation, aiding correct wording and devotional application in stotra/japa contexts.