Shloka 38

Nārada’s Instruction to Vyāsa: The Defect of Bhakti-less Literature and the Mandate of Kṛṣṇa-kathā

Devanagari script

इति मूर्त्यभिधानेन मन्त्रमूर्तिममूर्तिकम् । यजते यज्ञपुरुषं स सम्यग्दर्शन: पुमान् ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

iti mūrty-abhidhānena mantra-mūrtim amūrtikam yajate yajña-puruṣaṁ sa samyag-darśanaḥ pumān

Translation

Demikian, dengan menyebut nama-wujud-Nya, dia menyembah Yajña-puruṣa, Viṣṇu yang tiada rupa kebendaan, sebagai wujud mantra; dialah yang melihat dengan benar.

Synonyms

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Quotation marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उक्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• मूर्त्यभिधानेन: by the designation of forms
• मूर्त्यभिधानेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + अभिधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental, 3rd); एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मूर्तेः अभिधानम्) — ‘by the naming of forms’

• मन्त्रमूर्तिम्: the mantra-form (embodiment as mantra)
• मन्त्रमूर्तिम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + मूर्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative, 2nd); एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मन्त्रस्य मूर्तिः)

• अमूर्तिकम्: formless
• अमूर्तिकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमूर्तिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative, 2nd); एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying मन्त्रमूर्तिम्)

• यजते: worships
• यजते: Kriya (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: यज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present); प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person); एकवचन; आत्मनेपदम् — ‘he worships/sacrifices’

• यज्ञपुरुषम्: the Lord as the sacrifice-person (Yajña-puruṣa)
• यज्ञपुरुषम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक) + पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative, 2nd); एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (यज्ञस्य पुरुषः)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st); एकवचन

• सम्यग्दर्शनः: one with right understanding
• सम्यग्दर्शनः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्यक् (अव्यय) + दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st); एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सम्यक् दर्शनं यस्य/सम्यक्-दर्शनः) — ‘one of right vision’

• पुमान्: a man/person
• पुमान्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject/apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुमांस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st); एकवचन

Purport

Our present senses are all made of material elements, and therefore they are imperfect in realizing the transcendental form of Lord Viṣṇu. He is therefore worshiped by sound representation via the transcendental method of chanting. Anything which is beyond the scope of experience by our imperfect senses can be realized fully by the sound representation. A person transmitting sound from a far distant place can be factually experienced. If this is materially possible, why not spiritually? This experience is not a vague impersonal experience. It is actually an experience of the transcendental Personality of Godhead, who possesses the pure form of eternity, bliss and knowledge.

Characters & Entities

• Yajña-puruṣa (Supreme Lord)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Deity worship and realizing God?

This verse teaches that worship of the Lord through His authorized Deity form grants true spiritual vision, because the Lord accepts worship while remaining transcendental.

Why did Narada Muni speak about the Lord being both with form and beyond form?

Nārada instructs Vyāsadeva that the Supreme is not limited by matter, yet mercifully becomes approachable through mantra and mūrti, enabling sincere devotees to worship and realize Him.

Practical application of mantra and mūrti worship in modern life?

Chant the Lord’s names and worship with reverence and consistency; this purifies perception and gradually replaces material vision with devotion-centered understanding.