Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 119

The Recitation of the Thousand Names of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa (Yugala-Sahasranāma) and Śaraṇāgati-Dharma

Devanagari script

अशोकवनसन्नद्धः सदातिलकसंगतः । सदागोवर्द्धनरतिः सदा गोकुलवल्लभः ॥ ११९ ॥

Transliteration

aśokavanasannaddhaḥ sadātilakasaṃgataḥ | sadāgovarddhanaratiḥ sadā gokulavallabhaḥ || 119 ||

Translation

Toujours paré du bosquet d’Aśoka, toujours embelli du tilaka de bon augure, toujours se délectant à Govardhana et toujours l’Aimé de Gokula—tel est le Seigneur.

Word by Word

• अशोक-वन-सन्नद्धः: arrayed in the Aśoka grove
• अशोक-वन-सन्नद्धः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अशोक (प्रातिपदिक) + वन (प्रातिपदिक) + सन्नद्ध (सम्-नह् धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय; कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (अशोकवने सन्नद्धः/सम्यक् नद्धः); क्त-प्रत्ययान्तः (prepared/arrayed)

• सदा-तिलक-संगतः: always adorned with tilaka
• सदा-तिलक-संगतः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सदा (अव्यय) + तिलक (प्रातिपदिक) + संगत (सम्-गम् धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय; कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अव्ययीभाव-पूर्वपद (सदा) + तत्पुरुषः (तिलकेन संगतः/युक्तः); क्त-प्रत्ययान्तः

• सदा-गोवर्द्धन-रतिः: ever delighting in Govardhana
• सदा-गोवर्द्धन-रतिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सदा (अव्यय) + गोवर्द्धन (प्रातिपदिक) + रति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अव्ययीभाव-पूर्वपद (सदा) + तत्पुरुषार्थः (गोवर्द्धने रतिः)

• सदा: always
• सदा: Avyaya (अव्यय/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक-क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of time: always)

• गोकुल-वल्लभः: beloved of Gokula
• गोकुल-वल्लभः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोकुल (प्रातिपदिक) + वल्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गोकुलस्य वल्लभः)

Speaker

Narada (in a devotional-descriptive passage, within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Govardhana-related observance implied (Govardhana-pūjā theme), not explicitly stated as a vrata here

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Govardhana
• Gokula
• Ashoka-vana

FAQs

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

It meditatively identifies the Lord (Kṛṣṇa) through His sacred marks and līlā-associations—Aśoka grove, tilaka, Govardhana, and Gokula—so the devotee’s mind naturally rests on His auspicious form and pastimes.

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

Bhakti here is shown as remembrance (smaraṇa) and loving contemplation: repeatedly recalling Kṛṣṇa’s beloved places and deeds (Govardhana, Gokula) and His auspicious signs (tilaka) as a simple, accessible devotional focus.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse most directly supports smṛti-based devotional practice rather than a technical Vedāṅga; practically, it aligns with traditional āhnika/ācāra markers like wearing tilaka as a Vaishnava identity and aid to disciplined remembrance.