Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 22

The Anukramaṇikā (Contents-Outline) of the Vāmana Purāṇa

Devanagari script

देहांते भुक्तभोगोऽसौ याति विष्णोः परं पदम् ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

dehāṃte bhuktabhogo'sau yāti viṣṇoḥ paraṃ padam || 21 ||

Translation

At the end of the body (i.e., at death), having fully experienced the fruits of his enjoyments, he goes to the supreme abode of Viṣṇu.

Word by Word

• देह-अन्ते: at the end of the body (at death)
• देह-अन्ते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देह + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Locative singular; समासः—देहस्य अन्ते (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• भुक्त-भोगः: one who has enjoyed (his) pleasures
• भुक्त-भोगः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भुक्त (कृदन्त, √भुज्) + भोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular; बहुव्रीहिः—येन भोगः भुक्तः सः

• असौ: that person/he
• असौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अदस् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Pronoun, nominative singular

• याति: goes
• याति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; Parasmaipada

• विष्णोः: of Viṣṇu
• विष्णोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Genitive singular

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular; विशेषणम् of पदम्

• पदम्: abode/state
• पदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular (goal)

Speaker

Narada (within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It states that liberation culminates at death: when karmic enjoyments (bhoga) are exhausted, the soul can attain Viṣṇu’s supreme abode, indicating a Vishnu-centered moksha framework.

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

By naming Viṣṇu’s “parama padam” as the final goal, the verse aligns the end-state of spiritual life with devotion to Viṣṇu—implying that the highest attainment is not merely heaven but reaching the Lord’s own abode.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse primarily teaches karma-phala logic rather than a specific Vedanga; the practical takeaway is discernment (viveka) about impermanent enjoyments and the timing of liberation when accumulated results are fully experienced.