Shloka 51

Glory of Puruṣottama: Pañcatīrthī Observance and Narasiṃha Worship

Devanagari script

शंखचक्रगदापाणिं मुकुटांगदभूषणम् । सर्वलक्षणसंयुक्तं वनमालाविभूषितम् ॥ ५१ ॥

Transliteration

śaṃkhacakragadāpāṇiṃ mukuṭāṃgadabhūṣaṇam | sarvalakṣaṇasaṃyuktaṃ vanamālāvibhūṣitam || 51 ||

Translation

In Seinen Händen hält Er Muschel, Diskus und Keule; geschmückt mit Krone und Armreifen; mit allen glückverheißenden Merkmalen versehen und durch die Vanamālā, die Waldblumengirlande, geziert.

Word by Word

• शंख-चक्र-गदा-पाणिम्: whose hands hold conch, discus, and mace
• शंख-चक्र-गदा-पाणिम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शंख + चक्र + गदा + पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (शंखचक्रगदाः पाणौ यस्य/पाणिः)

• मुकुट-अंगद-भूषणम्: adorned with crown and armlets (ornaments)
• मुकुट-अंगद-भूषणम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुकुट + अंगद + भूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-समासः (मुकुटं च अंगदं च—भूषणानि)

• सर्वलक्षणसंयुक्तम्: endowed with all auspicious marks
• सर्वलक्षणसंयुक्तम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व-लक्षण-संयुक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सर्वैः लक्षणैः संयुक्तः)

• वनमाला-विभूषितम्: adorned with a forest-garland
• वनमाला-विभूषितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वनमाला + विभूषित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle) from वि√भूष् (धातु) ‘to adorn’; तत्पुरुषः (वनमालया विभूषितः)

Speaker

Narada (describing Vishnu’s form within the Uttara-bhaga tirtha/mahatmya narrative)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It directs the mind to a complete, auspicious vision of Lord Vishnu—His weapons, ornaments, and sacred marks—so that remembrance (smṛti) becomes steady and devotion matures through darśana and meditation.

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

By lovingly contemplating Vishnu’s recognizable attributes (śaṅkha-cakra-gadā, vanamālā, and auspicious lakṣaṇas), the devotee anchors the heart in personal devotion (saguṇa-bhakti), making worship, japa, and pilgrimage-fruit more focused.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Primarily Vyākaraṇa/lexical clarity: the compound epithets (e.g., śaṅkhacakragadāpāṇi) teach precise identification of the deity in mantra, stotra, and pūjā instructions—useful for correct ritual recitation and iconographic recognition.