Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 55

Vāmana’s Advent, Aditi’s Hymn, Bali’s Gift, and the Mahatmya of Bhū-dāna

Devanagari script

सनक उवाच । तयोक्तं वचनं श्रुत्वा देवदेवो जनार्दनः । दत्त्वाभयं देवमातुरिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ ५५ ॥

Transliteration

sanaka uvāca | tayoktaṃ vacanaṃ śrutvā devadevo janārdanaḥ | dattvābhayaṃ devamāturidaṃ vacanamabravīt || 55 ||

Translation

Sanaka said: Having heard the words spoken by them, Janārdana—the God of gods—granted fearlessness to the Mother of the gods and spoke these words.

Word by Word

• सनकः: Sanaka
• सनकः: कर्ता (Speaker/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सनक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; Nominative singular

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: क्रिया
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तयोः: of the two
• तयोः: सम्बन्ध
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th), द्विवचन; Genitive dual

• उक्तम्: spoken
• उक्तम्: कर्म (object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; वच् धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative singular; क्त (past passive participle)

• वचनम्: words / speech
• वचनम्: कर्म (object of श्रुत्वा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: पूर्वकाल क्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive): having heard

• देवदेवः: God of gods
• देवदेवः: कर्ता (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; Nominative singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: देवानां देवः

• जनार्दनः: Janārdana (Vishnu)
• जनार्दनः: कर्ता (Apposition to देवदेवः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनार्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; Nominative singular

• दत्त्वा: having given
• दत्त्वा: पूर्वकाल क्रिया
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund): having given

• अभयम्: fearlessness / assurance
• अभयम्: कर्म (object of दत्त्वा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• देवमातुः: of the mother of the god
• देवमातुः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + मातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; Genitive singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: देवस्य माता

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: कर्म (object determiner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• वचनम्: speech / statement
• वचनम्: कर्म (object of अब्रवीत्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• अब्रवीत्: said / spoke
• अब्रवीत्: क्रिया
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/लङ्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Sanaka

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Sanaka
• Janardana
• Vishnu
• Devamata (Mother of the gods)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights a core Purāṇic assurance: when Viṣṇu (Janārdana) hears the plea of devotees, he first grants abhaya—freedom from fear—establishing divine refuge before giving further instruction.

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

Bhakti is shown as relational and protective: the Lord listens (śrutvā), responds personally (abravīt), and removes fear (abhaya). This models surrender and trust in Viṣṇu as the bhakta’s shelter.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught in this line; the practical takeaway is dhārmic reassurance—approaching the Lord with a truthful petition and receiving protection before instruction.