Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9

Hari-nāma Mahimā and Caraṇāmṛta: The Redemption of the Hunter Gulika

Uttaṅka Itihāsa

Devanagari script

ये विष्णुनिरताः संति लोकानुग्रहतत्पराः । धर्मकार्यरताः शश्वद्विष्णुरुपास्तु ते मताः ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

ye viṣṇuniratāḥ saṃti lokānugrahatatparāḥ | dharmakāryaratāḥ śaśvadviṣṇurupāstu te matāḥ || 9 ||

Translation

Ceux qui sont voués à Viṣṇu, appliqués au bien du monde et toujours engagés dans les œuvres du dharma, sont tenus pour incarnant véritablement la forme même de Viṣṇu.

Word by Word

• ये: those who
• ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• विष्णु-निरताः: devoted to Vishnu
• विष्णु-निरताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक) + निरत (प्रातिपदिक; past participial base from नि-रम्/रम्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); सप्तमी/विषय-तत्पुरुषार्थ (sense: devoted to Vishnu)

• सन्ति: are
• सन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद; 3rd Person (प्रथम-पुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• लोक-अनुग्रह-तत्पराः: intent on the welfare of the world
• लोक-अनुग्रह-तत्पराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुग्रह (प्रातिपदिक) + तत्पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुषः—लोकस्य अनुग्रहे तत्पराः (intent on benefiting the world)

• धर्म-कार्य-रताः: engaged in righteous acts
• धर्म-कार्य-रताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + कार्य (प्रातिपदिक) + रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुषः—धर्मकार्ये रताः (engaged in righteous duties)

• शश्वत्: always
• शश्वत्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शश्वत् (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• विष्णु-रूपाः: (as) forms of Vishnu
• विष्णु-रूपाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुषः—विष्णोः रूपाः / विष्णुस्वरूपाः (of Vishnu’s form; like Vishnu)

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), विशेषार्थ (indeed)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• मताः: are considered
• मताः: Kriya (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मत (प्रातिपदिक; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त from मन्/मन् ‘to think’)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle) used predicatively: “are considered”

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 elevates the ideal devotee: one who combines Viṣṇu-bhakti with lokānugraha (compassionate welfare of all) and steady dharma—such a person is honored as representing Viṣṇu Himself in conduct and presence.

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

Bhakti is not presented as emotion alone; it is shown as sustained absorption in Viṣṇu that naturally expresses itself through dharmic action and service to the world—devotion becomes lived spirituality.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Śikṣā) is directly taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is ethical application—performing dharma-kārya as an outward discipline that supports bhakti and social well-being.