Shloka 20
Saṃdhyāvalī-ākhyāna
Mohinī-parīkṣā; Dvādaśī-vrata-mahattva
प्राह्लादौ ह्लादसंयुक्ते चेरुर्व्यग्रा महीतले । एकदा शक्रमुख्यास्ते देवाः समंत्र्य वाक्पतिम् ॥ २० ॥
prāhlādau hlādasaṃyukte cerurvyagrā mahītale | ekadā śakramukhyāste devāḥ samaṃtrya vākpatim || 20 ||
Als Prahlāda und Hlāda sich verbündet hatten, irrten die Götter in großer Bedrängnis über die Erde. Da berieten sich einst jene Gottheiten—angeführt von Śakra (Indra)—und riefen Vākpati (Bṛhaspati) herbei.
Narada (narrative voice within the Purana’s dialogue framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It highlights that even the devas, when overwhelmed by adversity, turn to wise counsel (Bṛhaspati) rather than acting impulsively—showing dharma as guided action rooted in discernment.
Bhakti is implied indirectly: in crisis, the gods seek guidance from a guru-like authority. In the Narada Purana’s wider tone, such guidance ultimately aligns one toward surrender to the divine order and right worship, rather than ego-driven power struggles.
The verse foregrounds the role of Vākpati (Bṛhaspati), symbolizing disciplined speech and counsel—an applied echo of Vedāṅga concerns like Vyākaraṇa (clarity of expression) and the broader śāstric method of deliberation before ritual or action.