Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 187

Vāmana’s Advent, Aditi’s Hymn, Bali’s Gift, and the Mahatmya of Bhū-dāna

Devanagari script

एवं स्तुतो महाविष्णुर्ब्रह्याद्यैः स्वर्द्दवौकसाम् । दत्त्वाभयं च मुमुदे देवदेवः सनातनः ॥ ८७ ॥

Transliteration

evaṃ stuto mahāviṣṇurbrahyādyaiḥ svarddavaukasām | dattvābhayaṃ ca mumude devadevaḥ sanātanaḥ || 87 ||

Translation

ഇങ്ങനെ ബ്രഹ്മാദി സ്വർഗ്ഗവാസികൾ സ്തുതിച്ചപ്പോൾ മഹാവിഷ്ണു—ദേവദേവൻ സനാതന പ്രഭു—അവർക്ക് അഭയം നൽകി പ്രസന്നനായി.

Word by Word

• evam: thus
• evam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverb of manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (indeclinable adverb)

• stutaḥ: praised
• stutaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: stu (धातु) + ta (कृत्)
• Form: Past passive participle (कृत्यन्त/क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• mahāviṣṇuḥ: Mahāviṣṇu
• mahāviṣṇuḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• brahmādyaiḥ: by Brahmā and others
• brahmādyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Agent-instrument; doer in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmā + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘by Brahmā and others’

• svardevaukasām: of the gods dwelling in heaven
• svardevaukasām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svar + devaukas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘of the heaven-dwellers (gods)’

• dattvā: having given
• dattvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया/Anterior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (धातु) + tvā (क्त्वा)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), ‘having given’

• abhayam: fearlessness, assurance of safety
• abhayam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: abhaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (indeclinable conjunction)

• mumude: rejoiced
• mumude: Karta (कर्ता/Subject action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: mud (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person/प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• devadevaḥ: god of gods
• devadevaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Apposition to subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva + deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• sanātanaḥ: eternal
• sanātanaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sanātana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Narada (narrative voice within the Narada Purana’s dialogue framework)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Mahavishnu
• Brahma
• Devas (celestial dwellers)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights a core Purāṇic teaching: sincere stuti (praise) and surrender to Mahāviṣṇu culminate in abhaya—inner and outer protection—showing the Lord’s compassionate responsiveness to devotion.

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

Bhakti is shown as relational and grace-centered: when Brahmā and the devas praise Mahāviṣṇu, the Lord becomes pleased (mumude) and bestows fearlessness, indicating that devotion naturally draws divine favor and refuge.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; however, it reflects the practical use of mantra/stuti within Vedic ritual culture—structured praise as a devotional act aligned with dharma and seeking divine protection.