Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 71

The Classification and Explanation of Yakṣiṇī Mantras

Kālī and Tārā Vidyās

Devanagari script

श्मशाने शून्यसदने देवागारेऽथ निर्जने । पर्वते वनमध्ये वा शवमारुह्य मंत्रवित् ॥ ७१ ॥

Transliteration

śmaśāne śūnyasadane devāgāre'tha nirjane | parvate vanamadhye vā śavamāruhya maṃtravit || 71 ||

Translation

在火葬场、空屋、神庙或寂静之处——或在山上，或在林中——通晓真言者甚至可登尸为座，而修持真言法。

Word by Word

• श्मशाने: in a cremation ground
• श्मशाने: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्मशान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• शून्यसदने: in an empty house
• शून्यसदने: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शून्य + सदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (शून्यं सदनम्)

• देवागारे: in a temple
• देवागारे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + आगार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (देवानाम् आगारम्)

• अथ: or/then
• अथ: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (sequence particle)

• निर्जने: in a solitary place
• निर्जने: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (स्थानवाचक-विशेषण)

• पर्वते: on a mountain
• पर्वते: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• वनमध्ये: in the middle of a forest
• वनमध्ये: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन + मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (वनस्य मध्ये)

• वा: or
• वा: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• शवम्: a corpse
• शवम्: कर्म (Karma/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• आरुह्य: having mounted
• आरुह्य: पूर्वक्रिया (Pūrvakriyā/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-रुह् (धातु) → आरुह्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive), अव्ययभाव; ‘having mounted’

• मन्त्रवित्: the knower of the mantra
• मन्त्रवित्: कर्ता (Kartā/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र + विद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (मन्त्रं वेत्ति)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

FAQs

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

It stresses that mantra-sadhana is traditionally undertaken in powerful, secluded, and liminal locations—places that intensify concentration, fearlessness, and detachment—under the discipline of a true mantra-knower.

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

While the verse is technical and sadhana-focused, it indirectly supports bhakti by emphasizing unwavering single-pointedness and surrender to the mantra’s deity—qualities that also define mature Vishnu-bhakti in Narada Purana teachings.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied mantra-vidya (prayoga): choosing appropriate desha (place) and niyama (discipline) for japa and ritual performance—an allied technical domain often discussed alongside Vedanga-oriented material in Book 1.3.