Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5
Manvantaras and Indras; Sudharmā’s Liberation through Viṣṇu-Pradakṣiṇā; Supremacy of Hari-Bhakti
इन्द्रस्तु कीदृशः प्रोक्तो विवुधाः कीदृशाः स्मृताः । तेषां च कीदृशं कर्म यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि ॥ ५ ॥
indrastu kīdṛśaḥ prokto vivudhāḥ kīdṛśāḥ smṛtāḥ | teṣāṃ ca kīdṛśaṃ karma yathāvadvaktumarhasi || 5 ||
فالتمس منك أن تبيّن على الترتيب وبالصواب: ما حقيقة إندرا كما قيل، وما المقصود بالآلهة (فيفودها)، وما نوع الواجبات والأعمال (الكَرْما) المعيّنة لهم.
Narada (questioning Sanatkumara)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It frames a dharmic inquiry: understanding Indra and the devas is not mere mythology, but a way to grasp how cosmic order (ṛta/dharma) is maintained through assigned functions (karma).
By asking about the devas’ roles, the verse implicitly distinguishes administrative gods from the ultimate refuge; such clarity supports focused Vishnu-bhakti by placing deva-worship within a proper hierarchy of devotion.
The verse points to systematic classification and correct exposition (yathāvat), aligning with the Vedanga spirit of precise understanding—useful for interpreting ritual roles of devas in yajña and related dharma.