Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17
Nārada’s Hymn to Viṣṇu
Nāradasya Viṣṇu-stavaḥ
लोकोद्धारपरान् युष्मान् दीनेषु कृतसौहृदान् । पृच्छे ततो वदत मे भगवल्लक्षणं बुधाः ॥ १७ ॥
lokoddhāraparān yuṣmān dīneṣu kṛtasauhṛdān | pṛcche tato vadata me bhagavallakṣaṇaṃ budhāḥ || 17 ||
You who are devoted to uplifting the worlds and who show friendship to the humble—therefore I ask: O wise ones, tell me the defining characteristics of the Bhagavān.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
The verse models the proper approach to divine knowledge: humility, reverence for compassionate sages, and a focused inquiry into Bhagavān’s defining marks—placing God-realization at the center of Dharma.
Bhakti begins with sincere questioning and hearing (śravaṇa) from the wise; Narada requests the ‘lakṣaṇa’ of Bhagavān so devotion can be directed toward the true nature of the Lord rather than vague belief.
The verse emphasizes śāstric method—precise definition (lakṣaṇa) and disciplined inquiry—an approach aligned with Vyākaraṇa/Nyāya-style clarity, even though no specific Vedāṅga topic (like ritual timing or phonetics) is directly taught here.