Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 55
Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative
देवा ऊचुः । नारायणाक्षरानन्त शरणागतपालक । मृकण्डुतपसा त्रस्तान्पाहि नः शरणागतान् ॥ ५५ ॥
devā ūcuḥ | nārāyaṇākṣarānanta śaraṇāgatapālaka | mṛkaṇḍutapasā trastānpāhi naḥ śaraṇāgatān || 55 ||
देव म्हणाले— हे नारायण! हे अक्षर, अनंत! शरणागतांचे पालक! मृकंडूच्या तपाने भयभीत झालेल्या आम्हा शरणागतांचे रक्षण कर।
Devas (the gods)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It presents Nārāyaṇa as the imperishable, infinite refuge (Akṣara-Ananta) and emphasizes śaraṇāgati—seeking divine shelter—as the sure response to fear and cosmic disturbance.
Bhakti is shown as humble surrender: the Devas openly confess their fear and rely on Nārāyaṇa’s role as śaraṇāgata-pālaka, illustrating trust in the Lord’s protective grace over self-power.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught directly; the verse instead highlights the Vedic principle of tapas (austerity) as a potent force that even affects the gods, requiring proper alignment with dharma and divine refuge.