Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 121

The Account of the Lalitā Hymn, the Protective Armor

Kavaca), and the Thousand Names (Sahasranāma

Devanagari script

चपला कुक्कुटास्या च पाविनी मदनालसा । मनोहरा दीर्घजंघा स्थूलदन्ता दशानना ॥ १२१ ॥

Transliteration

capalā kukkuṭāsyā ca pāvinī madanālasā | manoharā dīrghajaṃghā sthūladantā daśānanā || 121 ||

Translation

她善变；鸡面者；净化者；因欲而倦怠。她妩媚动人，长腿，大齿，并具十面。

Word by Word

• चपला: restless; fickle
• चपला: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चपल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• कुक्कुटास्या: cock-faced
• कुक्कुटास्या: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुक्कुट-आस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (kukkuṭasya āsyam)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• पाविनी: purifying
• पाविनी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाविनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (पाविनी ‘purifying’—स्त्रीप्रत्ययान्त)

• मदनालसा: languid with love; love-lazy
• मदनालसा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मदन-आलस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (मदने आलसा/मदन-सम्बद्ध-आलस्ययुक्ता)

• मनोहरा: charming; mind-stealing
• मनोहरा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनस्-हर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (मनः हरति)

• दीर्घजंघा: long-legged
• दीर्घजंघा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीर्घ-जङ्घा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः (दीर्घा जङ्घा यस्याः)

• स्थूलदन्ता: large-toothed
• स्थूलदन्ता: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्थूल-दन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः (स्थूलाः दन्ताः यस्याः)

• दशानना: ten-faced
• दशानना: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दश-आनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः द्विगुः (दश आननानि यस्याः)

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue flow with the Sanatkumara tradition; this verse continues a technical catalogue-style description)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

The verse functions as a lakṣaṇa-style (definitional) description within a technical catalogue, illustrating how śāstra texts classify beings or forces through precise attributes—supporting discernment (viveka) rather than devotion-only sentiment.

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

Indirectly: by exposing the mixed and often deceptive nature of sense-appeal (charm alongside instability and passion), it encourages detachment and clearer devotion, where bhakti is grounded in discrimination rather than infatuation.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects the Vedāṅga-adjacent method of lakṣaṇa (technical defining marks) used in nirukta/nighaṇṭu-style and śāstric cataloguing—training readers to interpret and classify terms and descriptions accurately.