Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 45

Mārkaṇḍeya-varṇanam

The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya

Devanagari script

एवं स्तुवन्तं विप्रेन्द्रं मार्कण्डेयं जगद्गुरुम् । उवाच परया प्रीत्या शंखचक्रगदाधरः ॥ ४५ ॥

Transliteration

evaṃ stuvantaṃ viprendraṃ mārkaṇḍeyaṃ jagadgurum | uvāca parayā prītyā śaṃkhacakragadādharaḥ || 45 ||

Translation

Thus, as the foremost of brāhmaṇas—Mārkaṇḍeya, the preceptor of the world—was offering praise, the Lord who bears the conch, discus, and mace spoke to him with supreme delight.

Word by Word

• evam: Thus/In this manner
• evam: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• stuvantam: Praising
• stuvantam: Visheshana (Adjective to Markandeya)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: stu (धातु)
• Form: Present Participle (Shatri), Masculine, Accusative (2nd/Dvitiya), Singular

• viprendram: Lord of Brahmins
• viprendram: Visheshana (Adjective to Markandeya)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viprendra (vipra + indra) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/Dvitiya), Singular

• mārkaṇḍeyam: Markandeya
• mārkaṇḍeyam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mārkaṇḍeya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/Dvitiya), Singular

• jagadgurum: Teacher of the world (Epithet)
• jagadgurum: Visheshana (Adjective to Markandeya)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jagadguru (jagat + guru) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/Dvitiya), Singular

• uvāca: Spoke/Said
• uvāca: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Perfect Tense (Lit), 3rd Person (Prathama), Singular

• parayā: With supreme/great
• parayā: Visheshana (Adjective to Pritya)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/Tritiya), Singular

• prītyā: With affection/love
• prītyā: Karana (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prīti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/Tritiya), Singular

• śaṃkhacakragadādharaḥ: Holder of the conch, discus, and mace (Vishnu)
• śaṃkhacakragadādharaḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṃkhacakragadādhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/Prathama), Singular

Speaker

Śaṅkhacakragadādhara (Viṣṇu)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Mārkaṇḍeya
• Viṣṇu

FAQs

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

It shows that sincere stuti (praise) offered with devotion draws the Lord’s direct, gracious response—divine instruction arises from divine pleasure (parā prīti).

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

Bhakti is presented as heartfelt glorification of Viṣṇu; when the devotee praises with reverence, the Lord reciprocates by speaking—granting guidance, reassurance, or boons.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is liturgical: stuti as a disciplined devotional practice within Purāṇic and Vedic worship traditions.