Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 42

Bhāgīratha’s Bringing of the Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

भ्राजत्कौस्तुभमालाढ्यं श्रीवत्साङ्कितवक्षसम् । पीताम्बरधरं देवं सुरासुरनमस्कृतम् ॥ ४२ ॥

Transliteration

bhrājatkaustubhamālāḍhyaṃ śrīvatsāṅkitavakṣasam | pītāmbaradharaṃ devaṃ surāsuranamaskṛtam || 42 ||

Translation

Sie erblickten den göttlichen Herrn—geschmückt mit dem strahlenden Kaustubha-Juwel und Girlanden; die Brust gezeichnet vom heiligen Śrīvatsa; in gelbe Gewänder gekleidet—verehrt von Göttern wie von Asuras.

Word by Word

• bhrājat-kaustubha-mālā-āḍhyam: rich with the shining Kaustubha (ornament/garland)
• bhrājat-kaustubha-mālā-āḍhyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhrājat (√bhrāj, शतृ-कृदन्त) + kaustubha (प्रातिपदिक) + mālā (प्रातिपदिक) + āḍhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; तत्पुरुषः—bhrājatī kaustubha-mālā yatra saḥ (endowed with a shining Kaustubha-garland/neck-ornament)

• śrīvatsa-aṅkita-vakṣasam: whose chest bears the Śrīvatsa mark
• śrīvatsa-aṅkita-vakṣasam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrīvatsa (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅkita (√aṅk, क्त-कृदन्त) + vakṣas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; तत्पुरुषः—śrīvatsena aṅkitaṃ vakṣaḥ yasya (whose chest is marked with Śrīvatsa)

• pīta-ambara-dharam: wearing yellow robes
• pīta-ambara-dharam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pīta (प्रातिपदिक) + ambara (प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; तत्पुरुषः—pītam ambaram dharati iti (wearing yellow garments)

• devam: the god
• devam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• sura-asura-namaskṛtam: worshipped by gods and demons
• sura-asura-namaskṛtam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sura (प्रातिपदिक) + asura (प्रातिपदिक) + namaskṛta (√kṛ with namas-, क्त-कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; द्वन्द्वः—suraś ca asuraś ca; ‘by gods and demons’ (instrumental sense implied) + namaskṛta (worshipped)

Speaker

Narada (narrative description within the dialogue context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Kaustubha
• Shrivatsa
• Devas
• Asuras

FAQs

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

It presents the dhyāna-worthy form of Viṣṇu: His divine marks and ornaments function as meditative cues, directing the mind toward reverence, surrender, and remembrance of the Supreme Lord.

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

By describing the Lord as worshipped by all beings (even devas and asuras), it emphasizes bhakti through darśana and smaraṇa—devotional seeing and remembering—centered on Viṣṇu’s auspicious form.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Primarily it supports dhyāna/arcana practice rather than a Vedāṅga topic; practically, it aligns with mantra- and icon-based worship where precise form-description guides visualization and ritual contemplation.