Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54

Sṛṣṭi-varṇana, Bhārata-khaṇḍa-mahātmya, and Jagad-bhūgola

Creation, Glory of Bhārata, and World Geography

Devanagari script

हरिपूजारतो नित्यं भक्तः पूजास्तोऽषि वा । भक्तोच्छिष्टान्नसेवी च याति विष्णोः परं पदम् ॥ ५४ ॥

Transliteration

haripūjārato nityaṃ bhaktaḥ pūjāsto'ṣi vā | bhaktocchiṣṭānnasevī ca yāti viṣṇoḥ paraṃ padam || 54 ||

Translation

നിത്യമായി ഹരിപൂജയിൽ ലീനനായ ഭക്തനോ—അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ഭക്തിയോടെ പൂജയിൽ മാത്രം നിലകൊള്ളുന്നവനോ—ഭക്തരുടെ ഉച്ഛിഷ്ട അന്നം (പ്രസാദം) സേവിക്കുന്നവനും വിഷ്ണുവിന്റെ പരമപദം പ്രാപിക്കുന്നു।

Word by Word

• हरि-पूजा-रतः: engaged in worship of Hari
• हरि-पूजा-रतः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक) + पूजा (प्रातिपदिक) + रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—हरिपूजारतः = हरिं पूजयितुं रतः (engaged in worship of Hari)

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण नपुंसक-एकवचन (used adverbially: 'always')

• भक्तः: a devotee
• भक्तः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• पूजास्तः: steadfast in worship
• पूजास्तः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूजा (प्रातिपदिक) + स्त (प्रातिपदिक; 'standing/remaining')
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—पूजास्तः = पूजायां स्थितः (one who remains in/engaged in worship)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: सम्बन्ध (particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक-अव्यय (also/even)

• वा: or
• वा: समुच्चय/विकल्प (connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (or)

• भक्त-उच्छिष्ट-अन्न-सेवी: one who eats the devotees' leftover food
• भक्त-उच्छिष्ट-अन्न-सेवी: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + उच्छिष्ट (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्न (प्रातिपदिक) + सेविन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—भक्तोच्छिष्टान्नसेवी = भक्तस्य उच्छिष्टं अन्नं सेवते इति (one who partakes of devotees' remnants)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (and)

• याति: goes/attains
• याति: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• विष्णोः: of Vishnu
• विष्णोः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; पदम् इति विशेषणम्

• पदम्: abode/state
• पदम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Purva Bhaga dialogue setting)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Hari
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It elevates three accessible forms of devotion—regular Hari-pūjā, faithful participation in worship, and honoring devotees’ prasāda—as direct means to attain Viṣṇu’s supreme abode (parama-pada), emphasizing grace-filled bhakti over mere technical attainment.

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

Bhakti is shown as practical and inclusive: active worship (sevā), reverent association with worship (pūjā-sthiti), and honoring sacred remnants (prasāda-sevā) each cultivate surrender and devotion, culminating in liberation under Viṣṇu’s protection.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual practice (kalpa-oriented conduct) is implied: disciplined daily pūjā and proper honoring of prasāda as sanctified remnants, underscoring correct devotional procedure rather than grammar or astrology.