Shloka 18

The Greatness of Offering Piṇḍas at Viṣṇvādipada (Viṣṇupada) — Gayā Śrāddha Procedure and Fruits

Devanagari script

आद्यो गदाधरो देवो व्यक्ताव्यक्तार्थमास्थितः । विष्ण्वादिपदरूपेण पितॄणां मुक्तिहेतवे ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

ādyo gadādharo devo vyaktāvyaktārthamāsthitaḥ | viṣṇvādipadarūpeṇa pitṝṇāṃ muktihetave || 18 ||

Translation

ಆದ್ಯ ಗದಾಧರ ದೇವನು ವ್ಯಕ್ತ-ಅವ್ಯಕ್ತಾರ್ಥಸ್ವರೂಪವಾಗಿ ಸ್ಥಿತನಾಗಿದ್ದಾನೆ; ‘ವಿಷ್ಣು’ ಮೊದಲಾದ ಪವಿತ್ರ ಪದರೂಪವನ್ನು ಧರಿಸಿ ಪಿತೃಗಳ ಮುಕ್ತಿಗೆ ಕಾರಣನಾಗುತ್ತಾನೆ।

Word by Word

• ādyaḥ: the primordial/first
• ādyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ādya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• gadādharaḥ: the bearer of the mace
• gadādharaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gadā + dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative): ‘गदायाः धरः’

• devaḥ: the god
• devaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• vyakta-avyakta-artham: the meaning/purport of the manifest and unmanifest
• vyakta-avyakta-artham: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyakta + avyakta + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; समासः (determinative) ‘व्यक्तस्य अव्यक्तस्य च अर्थः’ → ‘व्यक्ताव्यक्तार्थः’ (द्वन्द्व-समाहारार्थे/समुच्चयार्थे) ततः द्वितीया

• āsthitaḥ: having assumed; abiding in
• āsthitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate of subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√sthā (स्था) (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (Past Passive Participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘आस्थितः’ = having assumed/abiding in

• viṣṇu-ādi-pada-rūpeṇa: in the form of the words/steps beginning with Viṣṇu
• viṣṇu-ādi-pada-rūpeṇa: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu + ādi + pada + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (rūpa as neuter/masc usage), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; समासः: ‘विष्ण्वादीनां पदानां रूपेण’ (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• pitṝṇām: of the ancestors
• pitṝṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• mukti-hetave: for the cause of liberation
• mukti-hetave: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Dative purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukti + hetu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन; समासः: ‘मुक्तेः हेतुः’ (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Gadadhara
• Pitrs

FAQs

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

It identifies Viṣṇu (Gadādhara) as the ultimate reality behind both the manifest and unmanifest, and states that remembrance/utterance of His sacred names becomes a direct cause of Pitṛs attaining liberation.

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

By emphasizing “viṣṇvādipadarūpeṇa,” it highlights nāma-bhakti—devotion through the Lord’s names and epithets—as a potent means that benefits not only the devotee but also one’s ancestors.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse points to the power of “pada” (sacred words/names), aligning with Vyākaraṇa and Nirukta in understanding and preserving correct divine appellations used in mantra, śrāddha, and Pitṛ-related rites.