Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 67

Bhāgīratha’s Bringing of the Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

दीर्घबाहुमुदाराङ्गं लोकेशार्चितपङ्कजम् । नाम दण्डवद् भूमौ भूपतिर्नम्रकन्धरः ॥ ६७ ॥

Transliteration

dīrghabāhumudārāṅgaṃ lokeśārcitapaṅkajam | nāma daṇḍavad bhūmau bhūpatirnamrakandharaḥ || 67 ||

Translation

Der König, den Nacken in Demut gesenkt, warf sich wie ein Stab auf die Erde vor jenem langarmigen Herrn von edler Gestalt, dessen Lotosfüße selbst von den Herrschern der Welten verehrt werden.

Word by Word

• dīrgha-bāhum: long-armed
• dīrgha-bāhum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīrgha (प्रातिपदिक) + bāhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारयः (dīrghau bāhū yasya)

• udāra-aṅgam: noble-bodied
• udāra-aṅgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: udāra (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारयः (udāram aṅgam yasya)

• loka-īśa-arcita-paṅkajam: whose lotus(-feet/lotus) is worshipped by the lords of the worlds
• loka-īśa-arcita-paṅkajam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक) + īśa (प्रातिपदिक) + arcita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, √arc, क्त) + paṅkaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुषः (loka-īśaiḥ arcitam paṅkajam)

• nāma: indeed; by name
• nāma: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nāma (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Particle/indeclinable (निपात/अव्यय); emphasis/‘indeed’ or ‘by name’ (contextual)

• daṇḍavat: like a staff; fully prostrate
• daṇḍavat: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: daṇḍavat (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय); manner: ‘like a staff’ (prostrating)

• bhūmau: on the ground
• bhūmau: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhūpatiḥ: the king
• bhūpatiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūpati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• namra-kandharaḥ: with bowed neck
• namra-kandharaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: namra (प्रातिपदिक) + kandhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारयः (namrā kandharā yasya)

Speaker

Sūta (narrating the episode within the Purāṇic dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Bhūpati (the king)
• Lokeśas (lords of the worlds)
• Lotus-footed Lord (Viṣṇu/Hari implied)

FAQs

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

It highlights śraddhā and vinaya (humility): even worldly power bows before the lotus-footed Lord, teaching that true greatness is devotion expressed through reverent surrender.

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

Bhakti is shown as embodied practice—daṇḍavat praṇāma (full prostration) with a bowed neck—signifying ego-surrender and honoring the Lord worshipped by even the cosmic lords.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects kalpa/ācāra (ritual conduct): the correct devotional gesture of praṇāma—daṇḍavat on the ground—used in pūjā and temple etiquette, emphasizing disciplined worship rather than technical sciences like jyotiṣa.