Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 53

Bhuvaneśī (Nidrā-Śakti) Mantra-vidhi, Nyāsa–Āvaraṇa Worship, Padma-homa Prayogas, and the Opening of Śrī-Mahālakṣmī Upāsanā

Devanagari script

बभूव लोकपालांस्तु जित्वा भुंक्ते जगत्त्रयम् । ततस्त्पीडिता देवा वैकुंठं शरणं ययुः ॥ ५३ ॥

Transliteration

babhūva lokapālāṃstu jitvā bhuṃkte jagattrayam | tatastpīḍitā devā vaikuṃṭhaṃ śaraṇaṃ yayuḥ || 53 ||

Translation

Tendo vencido os Lokapālas, os guardiões dos mundos, ele passou a desfrutar do domínio sobre os três mundos. Então os deuses, oprimidos por ele, foram a Vaikuṇṭha em busca de refúgio.

Word by Word

• बभूव: became/arose
• बभूव: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• लोक-पालान्: the guardians of the worlds
• लोक-पालान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक) + पाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Acc.), बहुवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थ

• जित्वा: having conquered
• जित्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जि (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having conquered)

• भुङ्क्ते: enjoys/rules
• भुङ्क्ते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भुज् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• जगत्-त्रयम्: the three worlds
• जगत्-त्रयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक) + त्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Acc.), एकवचन

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• पीडिताः: afflicted/oppressed
• पीडिताः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीडित (कृदन्त, पीड् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom.), बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त)

• देवाः: the gods
• देवाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom.), बहुवचन

• वैकुण्ठम्: to Vaikuṇṭha
• वैकुण्ठम्: Gati-karma (गतिकर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैकुण्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (स्थाननाम), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Acc.), एकवचन

• शरणम्: refuge
• शरणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Acc.), एकवचन; गत्यर्थक-क्रियायाः पूरक (as refuge)

• ययुः: went
• ययुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Narada (narrating within the Narada Purana’s dialogue tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Lokapalas (Dikpalas)
• Devas
• Vaikuntha
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It highlights śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) as the decisive spiritual response when cosmic order is threatened—turning to Vaikuṇṭha implies trusting Vishnu as the ultimate protector and restorer of dharma.

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

Bhakti here appears as surrender: the devas do not rely only on their own power after defeat; they approach Vishnu’s abode for protection, showing that devotion culminates in taking refuge in the Lord.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

While not a direct Vedanga instruction, the verse reflects Purāṇic application of dharma-śāstra and itihāsa-style narrative pedagogy: when adharma prevails, one seeks divine refuge—an ethical principle used to guide conduct and ritual intent.