Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 28

The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra

Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana

Devanagari script

किरीटार्पितबालेंदून्पद्मस्थान्भूषणान्वितान् । त्रिनेत्राञ्छूलवज्रास्त्रचापहस्तान्मनोरमान् ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

kirīṭārpitabāleṃdūnpadmasthānbhūṣaṇānvitān | trinetrāñchūlavajrāstracāpahastānmanoramān || 28 ||

Translation

见诸天神姿容可爱：冠上嵌着新月，安坐莲华之座，佩饰庄严，具三目，手执三叉戟、金刚杵之兵与弓。

Word by Word

• किरीट-अर्पित-बाल-इन्दून्: with young moons placed on their crowns
• किरीट-अर्पित-बाल-इन्दून्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: किरीट (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्पित (कृदन्त; √अर्प्) + बाल (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्दु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; किरीटे अर्पिताः बाल-इन्दवः येषाम् (having young moons set on the crown)

• पद्म-स्थान्: lotus-seated
• पद्म-स्थान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; पद्मे स्थानं येषाम् (seated in/on a lotus)

• भूषण-अन्वितान्: adorned with ornaments
• भूषण-अन्वितान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भूषण (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्वित (कृदन्त; √इ ‘to go’ in sense ‘endowed’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; भूषणैः अन्विताः (adorned with ornaments)

• त्रि-नेत्रान्: three-eyed
• त्रि-नेत्रान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक) + नेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; त्रीणि नेत्राणि येषाम् (three-eyed)

• शूल-वज्र-अस्त्र-चाप-हस्तान्: having trident, thunderbolt, weapon, and bow in their hands
• शूल-वज्र-अस्त्र-चाप-हस्तान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शूल (प्रातिपदिक) + वज्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + चाप (प्रातिपदिक) + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; शूल-वज्र-अस्त्र-चापाः हस्तेषु येषाम् (having trident, thunderbolt, weapon, and bow in their hands)

• मनोरमान्: charming/beautiful
• मनोरमान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनोरम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

Speaker

Narada (narrating within the dialogue tradition to the Sanatkumara brothers)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Crescent Moon (Bālendu)
• Lotus (Padma)
• Trident (Śūla)
• Vajra
• Bow (Cāpa)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes sacred darśana through precise divine iconography—crown, crescent, lotus-seat, and weapons—guiding the mind to steadiness and reverence in contemplation.

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

By describing attractive and awe-inspiring divine forms, it supports bhakti through dhyāna (devotional visualization), making devotion concrete via recognizable attributes.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse reflects technical dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (iconographic markers) used in ritual and recitation traditions—supporting correct visualization and liturgical precision within Purāṇic practice.