Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 65

Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative

Devanagari script

विकचाम्बुजपत्राक्षं सूर्य्यकोटिसमप्रभम् । सर्वालङ्कारसंयुक्तं श्रीवत्साङ्कितवक्षसम् ॥ ६५ ॥

Transliteration

vikacāmbujapatrākṣaṃ sūryyakoṭisamaprabham | sarvālaṅkārasaṃyuktaṃ śrīvatsāṅkitavakṣasam || 65 ||

Translation

Mata-Nya bagaikan kelopak teratai yang mekar; sinar-Nya setara dengan berjuta-juta matahari. Berhias segala perhiasan, dada-Nya bertanda suci Śrīvatsa.

Word by Word

• vikaca-ambuja-patra-akṣam: Whose eyes are like petals of a blooming lotus
• vikaca-ambuja-patra-akṣam: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vikaca-ambuja-patra-akṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• sūrya-koṭi-sama-prabham: Whose radiance equals ten million suns
• sūrya-koṭi-sama-prabham: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūrya-koṭi-sama-prabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• sarva-alaṅkāra-saṃyuktam: Endowed with all ornaments
• sarva-alaṅkāra-saṃyuktam: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva-alaṅkāra-saṃyukta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• śrīvatsa-aṅkita-vakṣasam: Whose chest is marked by the Shrivatsa symbol
• śrīvatsa-aṅkita-vakṣasam: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrīvatsa-aṅkita-vakṣas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Shrivatsa

FAQs

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

It presents a dhyāna (meditative) portrait of Viṣṇu—lotus-eyed, infinitely radiant, and bearing Śrīvatsa—so the devotee can fix the mind on a concrete, auspicious form that purifies attention and awakens bhakti.

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

Bhakti is supported by loving contemplation of the Lord’s guṇas and rūpa (qualities and form). By remembering His lotus eyes, sun-like splendor, and sacred emblems, the devotee develops reverence (bhāva) and steady remembrance (smṛti).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

This verse mainly functions as a dhyāna-description rather than a technical Vedāṅga teaching; its practical takeaway aligns with mantra-upāsanā and iconographic meditation used in ritual worship (pūjā) and visualization.