Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 162

The Description of the Four Durgā Mantras

Devanagari script

सोष्णीषकंचुको विद्वान्कृष्णे भूते दिवानिशम् । उपवासी श्मशाने वा विपिने शून्यमंदिरे ॥ १६२ ॥

Transliteration

soṣṇīṣakaṃcuko vidvānkṛṣṇe bhūte divāniśam | upavāsī śmaśāne vā vipine śūnyamaṃdire || 162 ||

Translation

智者戴头巾披上衣，当于名为“黑月日·Kṛṣṇā-bhūtā”的幽暗朔日，昼夜持斋禁食；无论在火葬场、林中，或空寂的寺庙皆如是。

Word by Word

• स-उष्णीष-कञ्चुकः: wearing a turban and a cloak
• स-उष्णीष-कञ्चुकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उष्णीष (प्रातिपदिक) + कञ्चुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (उष्णीषयुक्तः कञ्चुकः यस्य सः)

• विद्वान्: a learned man
• विद्वान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्वस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘विद्वस्’ शब्दः (learned person)

• कृष्णे: in the dark
• कृष्णे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• भूते: when it has become (i.e., at the time)
• भूते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; ‘भूत’ = time/condition

• दिवा-निशम्: day and night
• दिवा-निशम्: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दिवा (अव्यय) + निशा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समासः; अव्ययत्वेन प्रयोगः (adverbial: ‘by day and by night/continually’)

• उपवासी: fasting
• उपवासी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपवासिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (fasting)

• श्मशाने: in a cremation ground
• श्मशाने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्मशान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha/Connector (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्ययम् (particle of option ‘or’)

• विपिने: in a forest
• विपिने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विपिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• शून्य-मन्दिरे: in an empty house/temple
• शून्य-मन्दिरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शून्य (प्रातिपदिक) + मन्दिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (शून्यं मन्दिरम्)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a Vedanga/vrata context; dialogue tradition with Sanatkumara lineage implied for this section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It prescribes a severe vrata: sustained fasting through day and night in liminal places (cremation ground, forest, deserted shrine), emphasizing fearlessness, detachment, and disciplined ritual resolve.

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

While stated as an austerity rule, the underlying bhakti principle is single-pointed dedication—choosing restraint and sacred intent over comfort, which supports steadiness of mind for worship and remembrance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects tithi-based observance (time-discipline) and vrata procedure—how to structure an upavāsa across day and night and the prescribed setting—typical of technical dharma guidance aligned with Vedanga-style calendrical and ritual regulation.