Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 35

Mārkaṇḍeya-varṇanam

The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya

Devanagari script

शिरस्यञ्जलिमाधाय मार्कण्डेयो महामुनिः । तुष्टाव वाग्भिरिष्टाभिः सदानन्दैकविग्रहम् ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

śirasyañjalimādhāya mārkaṇḍeyo mahāmuniḥ | tuṣṭāva vāgbhiriṣṭābhiḥ sadānandaikavigraham || 35 ||

Translation

Sang maharsi Mārkaṇḍeya meletakkan kedua telapak tangan yang terkatup di atas kepala, lalu memuji Dia yang berwujud kebahagiaan abadi dengan kata-kata doa yang tercinta.

Word by Word

• śirasi: on the head
• śirasi: Adhikarana (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• añjalim: folded hands (gesture of reverence)
• añjalim: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: añjali
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• ādhāya: having placed
• ādhāya: Purvakalika Kriya (Prior Action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ādhā (ā + dhā)
• Form: Lyap Pratyaya (Absolutive/Gerund)

• mārkaṇḍeyaḥ: Markandeya
• mārkaṇḍeyaḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mārkaṇḍeya
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• mahāmuniḥ: great sage
• mahāmuniḥ: Visheshana (Adjective to mārkaṇḍeyaḥ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahāmuni
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; (mahān cāsau muniḥ)

• tuṣṭāva: praised/extolled
• tuṣṭāva: Kriya (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: stu
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect Tense), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha (3rd Person), Singular

• vāgbhiḥ: with words/speech
• vāgbhiḥ: Karana (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāc
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• iṣṭābhiḥ: desirable/sweet/beloved
• iṣṭābhiḥ: Visheshana (Adjective to vāgbhiḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: iṣṭā
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• sadānandaikavigraham: whose sole form is eternal bliss
• sadānandaikavigraham: Karma (Object of tuṣṭāva)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sadānandaikavigraha
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; (sadā ānandaḥ eva ekaḥ vigrahaḥ yasya tam)

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing Mārkaṇḍeya’s act of praise)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Markandeya
• Sadānandaikavigraha (the Lord, i.e., Vishnu/Paramatman)

FAQs

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

It highlights humble surrender (añjali on the head) and stuti as a direct means to approach the Supreme, described as the embodiment of ever-present, undivided bliss.

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

Bhakti is shown as heartfelt praise offered with reverence—using beloved, sincere words—toward the Lord whose nature is constant bliss, emphasizing inner devotion over mere formality.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse implicitly reflects Śikṣā and Vyākaraṇa concerns in devotional practice: correct, intentional speech (vāgbhiḥ) used for stuti, where sound and meaning are treated as sacred offerings.