Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 91

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

Devanagari script

सर्वमाथुरसंसेव्यः करुणो भक्तबांधवः । सर्वगोपालधनदो गोपीगोपाललालसः ॥ ९१ ॥

Transliteration

sarvamāthurasaṃsevyaḥ karuṇo bhaktabāṃdhavaḥ | sarvagopāladhanado gopīgopālalālasaḥ || 91 ||

Translation

Il est digne d’être vénéré avec amour par tout le peuple de Mathurā; compatissant, parent et soutien des bhaktas. Il accorde la prospérité à tous les gardiens de vaches et aspire à la compagnie des gopīs et des gopālas.

Word by Word

• सर्व-माथुर-संसेव्यः: worthy to be served by all the Mathurā people
• सर्व-माथुर-संसेव्यः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + माथुर (प्रातिपदिक) + संसेव्य (सेव् धातु, कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; ‘संसेव्य’ = सेव् (धातु) + यत् (यत्-प्रत्यय), भाव्य/योग्य-अर्थ (fit to be served); तत्पुरुषः (सर्वैः माथुरैः संसेव्यः)

• करुणः: compassionate
• करुणः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: करुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• भक्त-बान्धवः: kinsman/friend of devotees
• भक्त-बान्धवः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + बान्धव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (भक्तानां बान्धवः)

• सर्व-गोपाल-धनदः: giver of wealth to all cowherds
• सर्व-गोपाल-धनदः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + गोपाल (प्रातिपदिक) + धनद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सर्वेषां गोपालानां धनदः)

• गोपी-गोपाल-लालसः: eager/attached to the gopīs and cowherds
• गोपी-गोपाल-लालसः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गोपी (प्रातिपदिक) + गोपाल (प्रातिपदिक) + लालस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (गोपीषु गोपालेषु च लालसः/आसक्तः)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a devotional eulogy of Krishna/Vishnu)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Krishna
• Mathura
• Gopala
• Gopi

FAQs

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

The verse portrays Krishna/Vishnu as the compassionate protector of bhaktas who responds to loving service (seva) and grants both grace and well-being, emphasizing a personal, relational divinity.

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

Bhakti is shown as intimate loving service—Krishna is ‘saṃsevya’ (to be served) and ‘bhakta-bāndhava’ (devotees’ ally), indicating that devotion is sustained by divine compassion and closeness rather than mere ritual formality.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is bhakti-oriented seva—regular worship and remembrance of Krishna as Gopala, the benefactor and protector of devotees.