Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 85

The Recitation of the Thousand Names of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa (Yugala-Sahasranāma) and Śaraṇāgati-Dharma

Devanagari script

कुवलयापीडहंता दंतस्कंधबलाग्रणीः । कल्परूपधरोधीरो दिव्यवस्त्रानुलेपनः ॥ ८५ ॥

Transliteration

kuvalayāpīḍahaṃtā daṃtaskaṃdhabalāgraṇīḥ | kalparūpadharodhīro divyavastrānulepanaḥ || 85 ||

Translation

कुवलयापीडाचा संहार करणारा, दंत-स्कंधावर भार धारण करण्यात बलाचा अग्रणी; इच्छेनुसार रूप धारण करणारा धीर प्रभू, दिव्य वस्त्रे व दिव्य अनुलेपनांनी विभूषित आहे।

Word by Word

• कुवलयापीडहंता: slayer of (the elephant) Kuvalayāpīḍa
• कुवलयापीडहंता: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुवलय-पीड-हन्तृ (प्रातिपदिक; हन्-धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तृ-प्रत्ययान्त कर्तृवाचक नाम (agent noun)

• दन्तस्कन्धबलाग्रणीः: foremost in the strength of tusk and shoulder
• दन्तस्कन्धबलाग्रणीः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दन्त-स्कन्ध-बल-अग्रणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (determinative)

• कल्परूपधरः: bearer of a wondrous/desired form
• कल्परूपधरः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल्प-रूप-धर (प्रातिपदिक; धृ-धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; धर = कर्तृवाचक (one who bears)

• धीरो: steadfast, courageous
• धीरो: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• दिव्यवस्त्रानुलेपनः: one with divine garments and anointing (unguents)
• दिव्यवस्त्रानुलेपनः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिव्य-वस्त्र-अनुलेपन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (divine garments and unguents/ointments)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching to Narada in a laudatory/namāvali sequence of Vishnu’s epithets)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Krishna
• Kuvalayapida

FAQs

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

It presents Vishnu/Krishna as both heroic (destroyer of adharma symbolized by Kuvalayāpīḍa) and transcendent (able to assume any form), encouraging devotees to remember the Lord’s protection, sovereignty, and divine splendor.

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

Bhakti is supported through nāma-smaraṇa (remembering divine names): the verse strings together attributes—valor, steadiness, and divine beauty—so the mind can meditate on the Lord with reverence, love, and confidence in His saving power.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse models disciplined recitation and precise compound-formation (Vyākaraṇa) typical of name-lists (namāvali), aiding correct chanting and memorization—skills aligned with Śikṣā (phonetics) and Vyākaraṇa (grammar).