Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54

Dhvaja-Dhāraṇa Mahātmyam: Sumati–Satyamatī, Humility, and Deliverance by Hari’s Messengers

Devanagari script

स्वदूतान्प्रेषयामास स्वभक्तावनतत्परः । ते दूता देवदेवस्य शङ्खचक्र गदाधराः ॥ ५४ ॥

Transliteration

svadūtānpreṣayāmāsa svabhaktāvanatatparaḥ | te dūtā devadevasya śaṅkhacakra gadādharāḥ || 54 ||

Translation

സ്വഭക്തരെ കാക്കുന്നതിൽ നിത്യം തത്പരനായ ഭഗവാൻ തന്റെ ദൂതന്മാരെ അയച്ചു. ദേവദേവന്റെ ആ ദൂതന്മാർ ശംഖം-ചക്രം-ഗദ എന്നിവ ധരിച്ചവരായിരുന്നു.

Word by Word

• स्व-दूतान्: his own messengers
• स्व-दूतान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + दूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (स्वा दूताः = his own messengers)

• प्रेषयामास: sent
• प्रेषयामास: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रेषय् (धातु; √इष्/√प्रेष् causative of √इष्/√प्रि?; standard: √इष्/√प्रेष् ‘to send’)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• स्व-भक्त-अवन-तत्परः: intent on protecting his devotees
• स्व-भक्त-अवन-तत्परः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; qualifier of भगवान्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + अवन (प्रातिपदिक; √अव् ‘to protect’ as noun) + तत्पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (स्वभक्तानाम् अवने तत्परः = intent on protecting his devotees)

• ते: those
• ते: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• दूताः: messengers
• दूताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• देव-देवस्य: of the God of gods
• देव-देवस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (देवानां देवस्य)

• शङ्ख-चक्र-गदा-धराः: bearing conch, discus, and mace
• शङ्ख-चक्र-गदा-धराः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; qualifier of दूताः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शङ्ख (प्रातिपदिक) + चक्र (प्रातिपदिक) + गदा (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (प्रातिपदिक; √धृ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्वः (शङ्खं च चक्रं च गदां च धरन्ति)

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Vishnudutas

FAQs

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

It emphasizes the Narada Purana’s core bhakti doctrine: the Supreme Lord actively protects His devotees, even by sending His own divine attendants as guardians.

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

Bhakti is shown as a relationship of refuge and protection—when one is a true bhakta, the Lord becomes “svabhaktāvanatatparaḥ,” personally committed to the devotee’s welfare.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is devotional discipline—seeking śaraṇāgati (refuge) in Vishnu, who protects His bhaktas.