Shloka 40

Puruṣottama-māhātmya

The Greatness of Puruṣottama Kṣetra

Devanagari script

त्रैलोक्यानंदजननं कृष्णस्य मुखपंकजम् । पुरा कृतयुगे देवि शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमः ॥ ४० ॥

Transliteration

trailokyānaṃdajananaṃ kṛṣṇasya mukhapaṃkajam | purā kṛtayuge devi śakratulyaparākramaḥ || 40 ||

Translation

Ô Déesse ! Dans l’antique Kṛta Yuga, il fut un être dont la vaillance égalait celle d’Indra, et qui contempla et glorifia le visage-lotus de Kṛṣṇa, source de joie pour les trois mondes.

Word by Word

• त्रै-लोक्य-आनन्द-जननम्: the producer of joy for the three worlds
• त्रै-लोक्य-आनन्द-जननम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि + लोक्य + आनन्द + जनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: त्रैलोक्यस्य आनन्दः (genitive relation) + जननम् (producer)

• कृष्णस्य: of Krishna
• कृष्णस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• मुख-पङ्कजम्: the lotus-face
• मुख-पङ्कजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुख + पङ्कज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (lotus-like face)

• पुरा: formerly/once
• पुरा: Kala-adhikarana (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• कृत-युगे: in the Kṛta Yuga
• कृत-युगे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृत + युग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (कृतं युगम्)

• देवि: O goddess
• देवि: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

• शक्र-तुल्य-पराक्रमः: having valor equal to Śakra (Indra)
• शक्र-तुल्य-पराक्रमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शक्र + तुल्य + पराक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (whose valor is equal to Indra’s)

Speaker

Narada (narrating a kshetra/tirtha-related account; addressing a Devi figure in the verse)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"adbhuta","secondary_rasa":"bhakti","emotional_journey":"Evokes wonder at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus-face as universal joy, then shifts into epic remembrance of an ancient Kṛta-yuga hero of Indra-like valor."}

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Shakra (Indra)
• Devi

FAQs

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

It elevates Kṛṣṇa’s “lotus-face” as a direct source of bliss for all realms, implying that remembrance/vision of Kṛṣṇa is itself a world-sustaining spiritual joy, a common bhakti emphasis in the Purāṇas.

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

By centering devotion on a concrete, contemplative form—Kṛṣṇa’s mukha-paṅkaja—this verse supports bhakti through smaraṇa (remembrance) and darśana-bhāva (devotional vision), where the Lord’s form becomes the focus of love and liberation-oriented joy.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse is primarily devotional rather than technical; its practical takeaway aligns with Purāṇic sādhana: cultivate disciplined smaraṇa/dhyāna of Kṛṣṇa’s form (a practice supported by śikṣā and vyākaraṇa traditions for correct recitation and preservation of sacred wording).