Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 30

The Origin of the Gaṅgā and the Gods’ Defeat Caused by Bali

Devanagari script

नररुपपरिच्छन्ना विचेरुरवनीतले । वैरोचनिस्त्रिभुवनं नारायणपरायणः ॥ ३० ॥

Transliteration

nararupaparicchannā viceruravanītale | vairocanistribhuvanaṃ nārāyaṇaparāyaṇaḥ || 30 ||

Translation

Dengan menyamar dalam rupa manusia, mereka berkeliaran di permukaan bumi; dan Virocani, yang sepenuhnya berserah kepada Nārāyaṇa, menjelajah tiga alam.

Word by Word

• नररूपपरिच्छन्नाः: disguised in human form
• नररूपपरिच्छन्नाः: कर्ता (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नर-रूप-परि-छद् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘नररूपेण परिच्छन्नाः’ (covered/disguised with human form)

• विचेरुः: they roamed
• विचेरुः: क्रिया (मुख्यक्रिया/action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-चर् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• अवनीतले: on the surface of the earth
• अवनीतले: अधिकरण (location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवनी-तल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘अवनेः तलम्’ इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष

• वैरोचनिः: Bali (son of Virocana)
• वैरोचनिः: कर्ता (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैरोचनिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; प्रह्लादपुत्रः बलिः (son of Virocana)

• त्रिभुवनम्: the three worlds
• त्रिभुवनम्: कर्म (object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि-भुवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (three worlds)

• नारायणपरायणः: devoted to Nārāyaṇa
• नारायणपरायणः: कर्ता (subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नारायण-परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘नारायणः परायणम् यस्य/यत्र’—अर्थतः नारायणनिष्ठः (devoted to Nārāyaṇa)

Speaker

Narada (within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Narayana
• Virocani
• Three Worlds (Tribhuvana)

FAQs

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

It highlights that true spiritual identity is devotion to Nārāyaṇa, not outer appearance—saints or divine agents may move in disguise, while unwavering bhakti enables movement and influence across all realms (tribhuvana).

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

By calling Virocani “nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇa,” the verse presents exclusive reliance on Nārāyaṇa as the defining trait of the devotee—bhakti becomes the guiding orientation that empowers one’s life and journey through worldly and cosmic spheres.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught directly in this verse; the practical takeaway is ethical discernment (dharma-buddhi): judge by conduct and devotion rather than by external guise.