Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 41

Mokṣopāya: Bhakti-rooted Jñāna and the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Viṣṇu-Meditation

Devanagari script

तस्मात्सर्वात्मकं विष्णुं शमादिगुणतत्परः । मुक्तयर्थमर्चयेत्सम्यक् क्रियायोगपरो नरः ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

tasmātsarvātmakaṃ viṣṇuṃ śamādiguṇatatparaḥ | muktayarthamarcayetsamyak kriyāyogaparo naraḥ || 41 ||

Translation

Therefore, one devoted to virtues beginning with śama (tranquility) should properly worship Viṣṇu—who is the Self of all—for the sake of liberation, being dedicated to disciplined practice (kriyā-yoga).

Word by Word

• tasmāt: therefore
• tasmāt: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान-भाव)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ablative adverbial form (तस्मात् = तद्-प्रातिपदिकस्य पञ्चमी-एकवचन-रूपम्, अव्ययीभूत) meaning ‘therefore/from that’

• sarva-ātmakaṃ: all-pervading / of the nature of all
• sarva-ātmakaṃ: Karma-anvaya (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + ātmaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2nd), Singular; विशेषण; समासः—सर्वः आत्मा यस्य/सर्वात्मकः (तत्पुरुष)

• viṣṇum: Vishnu
• viṣṇum: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2nd), Singular

• śama-ādi-guṇa-tat-paraḥ: devoted to virtues like tranquility etc.
• śama-ādi-guṇa-tat-paraḥ: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śama (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक) + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + tatpara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; विशेषण; समासः—शमादयः गुणाः तेषु तत्परः (तत्पुरुष)

• muktaye: for liberation
• muktaye: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/purpose-beneficiary)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Dative (चतुर्थी/4th), Singular

• artham: for the sake (of)
• artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; used adverbially with dative: ‘for the sake of’

• arcayet: should worship
• arcayet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: arc (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्/optative), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada

• samyak: properly
• samyak: Kriya-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samyak (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय)

• kriyā-yoga-paraḥ: devoted to disciplined practice of action (kriyā-yoga)
• kriyā-yoga-paraḥ: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kriyā (प्रातिपदिक) + yoga (प्रातिपदिक) + para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; विशेषण; समासः—क्रियायोगे परः (सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष)

• naraḥ: a man
• naraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It teaches that liberation is attained by worshipping Viṣṇu as the all-pervading Self, supported by inner virtues like śama (tranquility) and sustained disciplined practice (kriyā-yoga).

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

Bhakti here is not merely emotional; it is “proper worship” (samyak arcana) grounded in ethical-yogic qualities (śamādi-guṇa) and steady practice, directed to Viṣṇu as the universal indwelling reality.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes correct performance of worship (samyak arcayet), aligning with ritual discipline associated with Kalpa (Vedāṅga of procedure), though it primarily stresses sādhanā (kriyā-yoga) and inner restraint.