Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 99

Bhāgīratha’s Bringing of the Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

विशालवक्षसं देवं तुहिनाद्रि समप्रभम् । गजचर्माम्बरधरं सुरार्चितपदाम्बुजम् ॥ ९९ ॥

Transliteration

viśālavakṣasaṃ devaṃ tuhinādri samaprabham | gajacarmāmbaradharaṃ surārcitapadāmbujam || 99 ||

Translation

അവൻ വിശാലവക്ഷസ്സുള്ള ദേവനെ ദർശിച്ചു—ഹിമാദ്രിയിലെ ഹിമശിഖരത്തെപ്പോലെ ദീപ്തനായവനെ, ഗജചർമ്മാംബരം ധരിച്ചവനെ, ദേവന്മാർ അർച്ചിക്കുന്ന പദ്മപാദങ്ങളുള്ളവനെ।

Word by Word

• विशाल-वक्षसम्: having a broad chest
• विशाल-वक्षसम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विशाल (प्रातिपदिक) + वक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (विशालं वक्षः यस्य तत्)

• देवम्: the god
• देवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तुहिन-अद्रि-सम-प्रभम्: of radiance equal to the snowy mountain
• तुहिन-अद्रि-सम-प्रभम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुहिन (प्रातिपदिक) + अद्रि (प्रातिपदिक) + सम (अव्यय/उपसर्गवत्) + प्रभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (तुहिनाद्रिसमः प्रभः यस्य/यः)

• गज-चर्म-अम्बर-धरम्: wearing an elephant-hide garment
• गज-चर्म-अम्बर-धरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गज (प्रातिपदिक) + चर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्बर (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (गजचर्म अम्बरं यस्य; तत् धरति इति)

• सुर-अर्चित-पद-अम्बुजम्: whose lotus-feet are worshipped by the gods
• सुर-अर्चित-पद-अम्बुजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्चित (कृदन्त, √अर्च् धातु) + पद (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्बुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (सुरैः अर्चितं पदाम्बुजं यस्य)

Speaker

Narada (narrative description within the dialogue context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas

FAQs

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

It presents a dhyāna-like vision of the Lord’s form—radiance, sacred attire, and worship-worthy lotus-feet—guiding the reader toward reverence (bhakti) through contemplative remembrance.

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

By focusing attention on the Lord’s auspicious marks and the fact that even the devas worship His feet, the verse models bhakti as humble adoration expressed through visualization, praise, and inner surrender.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; it primarily serves as a dhyāna/stuti passage used in devotional recitation and meditation practice.