Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 186
The Exposition of Nṛsiṁha Worship-Mantras, Nyāsa, Mudrās, Yantras, Kavaca, and Nṛsiṁha Gāyatrī
वासुदेव ततोऽक्रूर ततो हयमुखेति च । परमहंसविश्वेश विश्वान्ते तु विडम्बन ॥ १८६ ॥
vāsudeva tato'krūra tato hayamukheti ca | paramahaṃsaviśveśa viśvānte tu viḍambana || 186 ||
Kemudian (Baginda dipuji sebagai) Vāsudeva; kemudian sebagai Akrūra; kemudian sebagai Hayamukha. (Baginda ialah) Paramahaṃsa, Angsa Tertinggi; Viśveśa, Tuhan semesta; dan pada penghujung kosmos, (Baginda menampakkan diri sebagai) Viḍambana, Yang mengelirukan melalui peragaan ajaib yang paradoks.
Narada (teaching within a stotra/nāma enumeration context, traditionally relayed in dialogue style with Sanatkumara lineage)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It strings together divine epithets to show Vishnu’s many functions—immanence (Vāsudeva), purity/devotee-associated sanctity (Akrūra), protective wisdom-form (Hayamukha/Hayagrīva), transcendence (Paramahaṃsa), cosmic sovereignty (Viśveśa), and mysterious līlā even at dissolution (Viḍambana).
By presenting a sequence of sacred names, it points to nāma-smaraṇa and stotra-recitation as a direct bhakti practice—approaching the same Lord through different moods, forms, and attributes.
The verse reflects the Vedāṅga-style precision of nāma/epithet usage and metrical recitation (linked with Śikṣā and Vyākaraṇa in practice), emphasizing correct pronunciation and meaningful naming in devotional liturgy.