Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 87

Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative

Devanagari script

स्मृतार्तिनाशनं विष्णुं शरणागतपालकम् । जगत्सेव्यं जगाद्धाम परेशं करुणाकरम् ॥ ८७ ॥

Transliteration

smṛtārtināśanaṃ viṣṇuṃ śaraṇāgatapālakam | jagatsevyaṃ jagāddhāma pareśaṃ karuṇākaram || 87 ||

Translation

I take refuge in Viṣṇu—He who destroys distress when remembered in times of fear, who protects those who surrender, who is worthy of worship by the whole world, the abode of the universe, the Supreme Lord, and the ocean of compassion.

Word by Word

• smṛta-ārti-nāśanam: destroyer of distress when remembered
• smṛta-ārti-nāśanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: smṛta (प्रातिपदिक; from √smṛ (धातु) ‘remembered’) + ārti (प्रातिपदिक) + nāśana (प्रातिपदिक; from √naś (धातु))
• Form: Accusative, Singular, Masculine; qualifies viṣṇum; ‘destroyer of distress when remembered’

• viṣṇum: Vishnu
• viṣṇum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• śaraṇa-āgata-pālakam: protector of those who seek refuge
• śaraṇa-āgata-pālakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaraṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + āgata (प्रातिपदिक; from √gam (धातु) ‘come’) + pālaka (प्रातिपदिक; from √pāl (धातु))
• Form: Accusative, Singular, Masculine; qualifies viṣṇum; ‘protector of those who have come for refuge’

• jagat-sevyam: worthy of worship by the world
• jagat-sevyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jagat (प्रातिपदिक) + sevya (प्रातिपदिक; from √sev (धातु) ‘to serve’)
• Form: Accusative, Singular, Masculine; qualifies viṣṇum; ‘worthy of service by the world’

• jagat-dhāma: abode of the world
• jagat-dhāma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jagat (प्रातिपदिक) + dhāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; apposition to viṣṇum; ‘abode of the world’

• pareśam: supreme Lord
• pareśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक) + īśa (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; ‘supreme lord’

• karuṇā-ākaram: ocean/source of compassion
• karuṇā-ākaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: karuṇā (प्रातिपदिक) + ākara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; ‘mine/source of compassion’

Speaker

Narada (in devotional praise within the dialogue context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It presents Viṣṇu as the compassionate Supreme refuge: remembering Him removes anguish, and surrender (śaraṇāgati) invokes His protection—framing devotion as a direct means to inner relief and liberation-oriented steadiness.

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

Bhakti is shown as remembrance and surrender: one turns to Viṣṇu in the heart (smṛti) and approaches Him as protector (śaraṇāgata-pālaka), worshipping Him as the universal Lord (jagat-sevya, pareśa).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is a dhārmic discipline of smaraṇa (remembrance) and śaraṇāgati as daily sādhana, which supports ritual life by centering it on devotion to Viṣṇu.