Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 89
Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative
अयालिङ्ग्य मुनिं देवश्चतुर्भिर्दीर्घबाहुभिः । उवाच परमं प्रीत्या वरं वरय सुव्रत ॥ ८९ ॥
ayāliṅgya muniṃ devaścaturbhirdīrghabāhubhiḥ | uvāca paramaṃ prītyā varaṃ varaya suvrata || 89 ||
അപ്പോൾ ഭഗവാൻ തന്റെ നാല് ദീർഘഭുജങ്ങളാൽ മുനിയെ ആലിംഗനം ചെയ്ത് പരമപ്രീതിയോടെ അരുളിച്ചെയ്തു— “ഹേ സുവ്രതാ! നിനക്കിഷ്ടമുള്ള വരം തിരഞ്ഞെടുക്ക; വരം ചോദിക്ക.”
Suta (narrator) describing the Lord’s words to the sage
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It highlights the Lord’s accessible grace: sincere ascetic discipline (suvrata) and devotion draw a personal, affectionate response from the Divine, culminating in the offering of a boon.
Bhakti is shown as relational and intimate—the Lord embraces the devotee-sage and speaks lovingly, indicating that devotion is met not merely with rewards but with nearness and compassion.
The verse primarily emphasizes vrata (disciplined vow) as a practical dharmic discipline rather than a specific Vedanga; it implies that regulated conduct supports successful mantra, worship, and ritual observances.