Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34

Mārkaṇḍeya-varṇanam

The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya

Devanagari script

संहृतं तु जलं वीक्ष्य सृष्टं विश्वं मृकण्डुजः । विस्मितः परमप्रीतो ववन्दे चरणौ हरेः ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

saṃhṛtaṃ tu jalaṃ vīkṣya sṛṣṭaṃ viśvaṃ mṛkaṇḍujaḥ | vismitaḥ paramaprīto vavande caraṇau hareḥ || 34 ||

Translation

Seeing that the waters had withdrawn and that the universe had been created, the son of Mṛkaṇḍu—astonished and filled with supreme joy—bowed down at the feet of Hari.

Word by Word

• saṃhṛtam: withdrawn/retracted
• saṃhṛtam: Visheshana (Adjective to jalam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṃhṛta (sam + hṛ + kta)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; Past Passive Participle

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu
• Form: Conjunction/Expletive

• jalam: water
• jalam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jala
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• vīkṣya: having seen/observed
• vīkṣya: Purvakalika Kriya (Prior Action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vīkṣ (vi + īkṣ)
• Form: Lyap Pratyaya (Absolutive/Gerund)

• sṛṣṭam: created
• sṛṣṭam: Visheshana (Adjective to viśvam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sṛṣṭa (sṛj + kta)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; Past Passive Participle

• viśvam: universe
• viśvam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśva
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• mṛkaṇḍujaḥ: son of Mrikandu (Markandeya)
• mṛkaṇḍujaḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛkaṇḍuja
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; Genitive Tatpurusha (mṛkaṇḍoḥ jātaḥ)

• vismitaḥ: amazed/astonished
• vismitaḥ: Visheshana (Adjective to mṛkaṇḍujaḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vismita (vi + smi + kta)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• paramaprītaḥ: supremely pleased
• paramaprītaḥ: Visheshana (Adjective to mṛkaṇḍujaḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paramaprīta
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; (paramā cāsau prītā - or prītiḥ yasya saḥ as Bahuvrihi contextually)

• vavande: worshipped/bowed down
• vavande: Kriya (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vand
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect Tense), Atmanepada, Prathama Purusha (3rd Person), Singular

• caraṇau: two feet
• caraṇau: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caraṇa
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Dual

• hareḥ: of Hari (Vishnu)
• hareḥ: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing Mārkaṇḍeya’s act of devotion)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Hari
• Vishnu
• Markandeya
• Mrkandu

FAQs

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

It shows the proper inner response to witnessing divine cosmic order: awe (vismaya) culminating in surrender and worship of Hari’s feet, affirming Viṣṇu as the sustaining and creative Lord.

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

Bhakti here is expressed as spontaneous reverence—joyful prostration at the Lord’s feet—arising from recognizing Hari’s power to withdraw the waters and manifest the universe.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the emphasis is on Purāṇic cosmology (sṛṣṭi/saṁhāra) as a contemplative support for devotion to Viṣṇu.