Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25

Vāmana’s Advent, Aditi’s Hymn, Bali’s Gift, and the Mahatmya of Bhū-dāna

Devanagari script

यत्पादाम्बुजकिञ्जल्कसेवारक्षितमस्तकाः । अवापुः परमां सिद्धिं तं वन्दे कमलाधवम् ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

yatpādāmbujakiñjalkasevārakṣitamastakāḥ | avāpuḥ paramāṃ siddhiṃ taṃ vande kamalādhavam || 25 ||

Translation

Ich verehre Kamalādhava (Viṣṇu): Seine Bhaktas, deren Haupt durch den Dienst am Blütenstaub der Lotusfüße beschirmt ist, erlangen die höchste Vollendung.

Word by Word

• yat-pāda-ambuja-kiñjalka-sevā-rakṣita-mastakāḥ: those whose heads are protected by serving the pollen of his lotus-feet
• yat-pāda-ambuja-kiñjalka-sevā-rakṣita-mastakāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + pāda + ambuja + kiñjalka + sevā + rakṣita (रक्ष्-धातुज कृदन्त) + mastaka
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहि: यस्य पादाम्बुजकिञ्जल्कसेवया रक्षितं मस्तकं येषाम् (those whose heads are protected by service to the pollen of his lotus-feet)

• avāpuḥ: attained
• avāpuḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava + āp (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; धातु: आप् (to obtain) with उपसर्ग अव-

• paramām: supreme
• paramām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• siddhim: attainment/perfection
• siddhim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: siddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन

• vande: I salute
• vande: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vand (धातु)
• Form: लट्, आत्मनेपद; उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन

• kamalādhavam: the Lord of Lakṣmī
• kamalādhavam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kamalā + dhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: कमलायाः धवः (husband/lord of Kamalā = Lakṣmī)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Lakshmi

FAQs

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

It teaches that the highest attainment (paramā siddhi) comes through humble devotion—specifically, reverent service to Viṣṇu’s lotus feet, which symbolizes total surrender and divine protection.

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

Bhakti is shown as pāda-sevā (service at the Lord’s feet): even the “dust/pollen” of the lotus feet is portrayed as spiritually protective and liberating, implying that sincere, humble service itself becomes the direct means to perfection.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is devotional discipline—regular worship and service (upāsanā/sevā) centered on Viṣṇu as the most effective spiritual practice.