Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 45

The Greatness of Viṣṇu

Uttaṅka’s Hymn, Hari’s Manifestation, and the Boon of Bhakti

Devanagari script

तमुत्थाप्य महाविष्णुरालिलिङ्ग दयापरः । वरं वृणीष्व वत्सेति प्रोवाच मुनिपुङ्गवम् ॥ ४५ ॥

Transliteration

tamutthāpya mahāviṣṇurāliliṅga dayāparaḥ | varaṃ vṛṇīṣva vatseti provāca munipuṅgavam || 45 ||

Translation

فأقامه مهافيشنو، وقد فاضت رحمته، واحتضن ذلك الحكيم الأسمى وقال: «يا بُنيّ، اختر نعمةً (مِنحةً)».

Word by Word

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• utthāpya: having raised up
• utthāpya: Purvakalika Kriya (Prior Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sthā (धातु) + ud (Causal)
• Form: Lyap Pratyaya (Absolutive)

• mahāviṣṇuḥ: Great Vishnu
• mahāviṣṇuḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahāviṣṇu (mahat-viṣṇu)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• āliliṅga: embraced
• āliliṅga: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: liṅg (धातु) + ā
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha, Singular

• dayāparaḥ: compassionate (intent on mercy)
• dayāparaḥ: Visheshana (Adjective to Mahavishnu)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dayāpara (dayā-para)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• varam: boon
• varam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• vṛṇīṣva: choose
• vṛṇīṣva: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया) in quote
• Type: Verb
• Root: vṛ (धातु)
• Form: Lot Lakara (Imperative), Atmanepada, Madhyama Purusha, Singular

• vatsa: dear child
• vatsa: Sambodhana (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vatsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (Sambodhana), Singular

• iti: thus
• iti: Quote Marker
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle

• provāca: spoke
• provāca: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु) + pra
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha, Singular

• munipuṅgavam: best of sages
• munipuṅgavam: Karma (Object/कर्म) of provāca
• Type: Noun
• Root: munipuṅgava (muni-puṅgava)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; Saptami Tatpurusha (Best among sages)

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narrative voice)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Mahavishnu
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It highlights Viṣṇu’s anugraha (divine grace): the Lord compassionately uplifts the devotee/sage, embraces him, and invites him to ask for a boon—showing that bhakti culminates in direct divine favor.

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

Bhakti is portrayed as an intimate relationship: Viṣṇu responds with tenderness (embrace) and generosity (offering a boon), emphasizing that loving surrender draws the Lord’s compassionate attention.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is theological—divine grace (anugraha) as the fruit of devotion—rather than grammar, jyotiṣa, or ritual procedure.