Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38

Mārkaṇḍeya-varṇanam

The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya

Devanagari script

अक्षरं परमं नित्यं विश्वाक्षं विश्वसम्भवम् । सर्वतत्त्वमयं शान्तं प्रणतोऽस्मि जनार्दनम् ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

akṣaraṃ paramaṃ nityaṃ viśvākṣaṃ viśvasambhavam | sarvatattvamayaṃ śāntaṃ praṇato'smi janārdanam || 38 ||

Translation

അക്ഷരൻ, പരമൻ, നിത്യൻ; വിശ്വാക്ഷൻ, വിശ്വത്തിന്റെ ഉത്ഭവകാരണം; സർവ്വതത്ത്വമയനും ശാന്തസ്വരൂപനും ആയ ജനാർദനനു ഞാൻ പ്രണാമം ചെയ്യുന്നു।

Word by Word

• akṣaram: imperishable
• akṣaram: Visheshana (Adjective to janārdanam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: akṣara
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; (na kṣaram - Nai Tatpurusha)

• paramam: supreme
• paramam: Visheshana (Adjective to janārdanam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• nityam: eternal
• nityam: Visheshana (Adjective to janārdanam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nitya
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• viśvākṣam: having the universe as eyes/universal-eyed
• viśvākṣam: Visheshana (Adjective to janārdanam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viśvākṣa
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; (viśvam akṣiṇī yasya tam - Universal-eyed)

• viśvasambhavam: origin of the universe
• viśvasambhavam: Visheshana (Adjective to janārdanam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viśvasambhava
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; (viśvasya sambhavaḥ yasmāt saḥ - Source of universe)

• sarvatattvamayam: consisting of all principles/elements
• sarvatattvamayam: Visheshana (Adjective to janārdanam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarvatattvamaya
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; (sarvatattvaiḥ nirmitam - Mayat Pratyaya)

• śāntam: peaceful/calm
• śāntam: Visheshana (Adjective to janārdanam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śānta
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; Past Passive Participle

• praṇataḥ: bowed
• praṇataḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praṇata
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• asmi: I am
• asmi: Kriya (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as
• Form: Lat Lakara, 1st Person, Singular

• janārdanam: Janardana
• janārdanam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janārdana
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

Speaker

Narada (in a devotional invocation within the dialogue framework of Narada Purana)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Janardana

FAQs

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

It establishes Vishnu (Janārdana) as the imperishable, supreme source of the cosmos and the inner essence of all tattvas, making surrender (praṇāma) to Him the foundation for peace and liberation-oriented study.

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

Bhakti is expressed here as humble surrender and praise—recognizing the Lord as eternal, all-seeing, and the origin of the universe—so devotion becomes grounded in clear theological vision rather than mere emotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; however, it models mantra-style stuti structure (epithets + salutation), useful for correct devotional recitation and prayer framing in Purāṇic practice.