Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 37

Dhvajāropaṇa and Dhvajāgopaṇa: Procedure, Stotra, and Phala (Merit) of Raising Viṣṇu’s Flag

Devanagari script

जगद्धितार्थं ये देहा ध्रियन्ते लीलया हरेः । तानर्चयन्ति विबुधाः स मे विष्णुः प्रसीदतु ॥ ३७ ॥

Transliteration

jagaddhitārthaṃ ye dehā dhriyante līlayā hareḥ | tānarcayanti vibudhāḥ sa me viṣṇuḥ prasīdatu || 37 ||

Translation

ليتفضّل عليَّ فيشنو—هاري الذي يتجسّد بأجسادٍ شتّى على سبيل ليلاته الإلهية (ليلا) لخير العالم؛ وتلك الأجساد يعبدها حتى الحكماء والآلهة.

Word by Word

• jagat-hita-artham: for the world’s welfare
• jagat-hita-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/उद्देश्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jagat (प्रातिपदिक) + hita (कृदन्त; √dhā, क्त ‘beneficial/placed’) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; purpose sense (प्रयोजनार्थे द्वितीया) ‘for the welfare of the world’

• ye: which / those that
• ye: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; relative pronoun

• dehāḥ: bodies
• dehāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• dhriyante: are borne/assumed
• dhriyante: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dhṛ (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural; Ātmanepada; Passive sense (कर्मणि प्रयोग) ‘are borne/are assumed’

• līlayā: by (divine) play
• līlayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: līlā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; manner/instrument

• hareḥ: of Hari
• hareḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• tān: those (bodies/forms)
• tān: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; demonstrative pronoun

• arcayanti: worship
• arcayanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √arc (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present), 3rd person, Plural; Parasmaipada

• vibudhāḥ: the wise / gods
• vibudhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vibudha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• me: my / to me
• me: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• viṣṇuḥ: Vishnu
• viṣṇuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• prasīdatu: may (he) be gracious
• prasīdatu: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra√sad (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (Imperative), 3rd person, Singular; Parasmaipada

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Hari

FAQs

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

It frames Viṣṇu’s manifested forms as compassionate, world-benefiting expressions of līlā, and teaches that remembering and honoring these forms culminates in seeking the Lord’s prasāda (grace).

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

Bhakti is shown through arcana—reverent worship of Hari’s divine forms—recognizing them as purposeful for jagat-hita (the good of all beings) and praying for Viṣṇu’s favor.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse mainly supports ritual practice (arcana/upāsanā) rather than a specific Vedāṅga; its practical takeaway is the disciplined worship of Viṣṇu’s forms with correct reverence and intention.