Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 93

Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa

Devanagari script

सर्वभूतययायुक्तो विष्णुस्मरणतत्परः । महापातकयुक्तो वा युक्तो वा सर्वपातकैः ॥ ९३ ॥

Transliteration

sarvabhūtayayāyukto viṣṇusmaraṇatatparaḥ | mahāpātakayukto vā yukto vā sarvapātakaiḥ || 93 ||

Translation

Even if a person is entangled in the multitude of beings and worldly ties, if he is devoted to the remembrance of Viṣṇu—whether stained by a great sin or by all sins—such Viṣṇu-smaraṇa uplifts him.

Word by Word

• sarva-bhūta-dayā-yuktaḥ: endowed with compassion for all beings
• sarva-bhūta-dayā-yuktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + bhūta + dayā + yukta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुल्लिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त ‘yukta’ (endowed) with तत्पुरुषः—‘endowed with compassion toward all beings’

• viṣṇu-smaraṇa-tat-paraḥ: devoted to remembering Viṣṇu
• viṣṇu-smaraṇa-tat-paraḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viṣṇu + smaraṇa + tatpara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुल्लिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुषः—‘intent on Viṣṇu-remembrance’

• mahā-pātaka-yuktaḥ: even if associated with great sins
• mahā-pātaka-yuktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/alternative condition)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + pātaka + yukta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुल्लिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त ‘yukta’ (associated) with तत्पुरुषः—‘associated with great sins’

• vā: or/even if
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Disjunctive particle (विकल्प-निपात)

• yuktaḥ: associated/connected
• yuktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/alternative condition)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yukta (√yuj + क्त, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुल्लिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); past participle (क्त)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Disjunctive particle (विकल्प-निपात)

• sarva-pātakaiḥ: with all sins
• sarva-pātakaiḥ: Sahacarya (सहकारक/association)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva + pātaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); कर्मधारयः—‘all’ + ‘sins’; instrumental of association (सह/साकं-अर्थे तृतीया)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

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 affirms that unwavering remembrance of Viṣṇu is a supreme purifier: even severe sinfulness does not block upliftment when Viṣṇu-smaraṇa becomes one’s dominant orientation.

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

Bhakti is presented as constant Viṣṇu-smṛti (remembrance). The verse emphasizes inner absorption in the Lord over one’s past burdens, highlighting devotion as a direct means to purification and liberation.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught here; the practical takeaway is sādhana-oriented—cultivating daily Viṣṇu-smaraṇa as a disciplined practice for pāpa-kṣaya (removal of sin).