Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 96

Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative

Devanagari script

विष्णिर्भक्तकुटुम्बीति वदन्ति विवुधाः सदा । तदेव पालयिष्यामि मज्जनो नानृतं वदेत् ॥ ९६ ॥

Transliteration

viṣṇirbhaktakuṭumbīti vadanti vivudhāḥ sadā | tadeva pālayiṣyāmi majjano nānṛtaṃ vadet || 96 ||

Translation

Мудрецы всегда говорят: «Вишну — родич Своих преданных». Эту истину Я и буду хранить: пусть никто из Моих не произносит лжи.

Word by Word

• viṣṇuḥ: Vishnu
• viṣṇuḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• bhakta-kuṭumbī: kinsman of devotees
• bhakta-kuṭumbī: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhaktakuṭumbin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• iti: thus
• iti: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (Quotation marker)

• vadanti: they say
• vadanti: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vad (धातु)
• Form: Lat Lakara (Present), 3rd Person, Plural

• vibudhāḥ: the wise/gods
• vibudhāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vibudha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• sadā: always
• sadā: Adhikarana (Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb of Time

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• eva: only/indeed
• eva: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (Emphasis)

• pālayiṣyāmi: I will protect/uphold
• pālayiṣyāmi: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pāl (धातु)
• Form: Lrt Lakara (Future), 1st Person, Singular

• mat-janaḥ: my people/devotee
• mat-janaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: matjana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• na: not
• na: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negative Particle

• anṛtam: falsehood
• anṛtam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• vadet: would speak
• vadet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vad (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi Lin (Potential), 3rd Person, Singular

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It affirms Vishnu’s intimate protection of devotees (“bhakta-kuṭumbī”) and links that grace to the devotee-community’s commitment to satya (truth), making truthfulness a devotional vow.

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

Bhakti is shown not only as praise of Vishnu but as living in alignment with His nature—devotees uphold dharma, especially truthfulness, as an offering that preserves the sanctity of the devotee’s household and community.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

While not a technical Vedanga lesson, it reinforces dharmic discipline central to Vedic practice: truthful speech (satya-vāk) as a foundational rule for mantra, vrata, and ritual integrity.