Shloka 78

Glory of Puruṣottama: Pañcatīrthī Observance and Narasiṃha Worship

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः स्त्रियः शूद्रांत्यजादयः । संपूज्य तु सुरश्रेष्ठं भक्ताः सिंहवपुर्द्धरम् ॥ ७८ ॥

Transliteration

brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāḥ striyaḥ śūdrāṃtyajādayaḥ | saṃpūjya tu suraśreṣṭhaṃ bhaktāḥ siṃhavapurddharam || 78 ||

Translation

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रियाः वैश्याः स्त्रियः शूद्राः अन्त्यजादयश्च—सुरश्रेष्ठं सिंहवपुर्धरं तं संपूज्य भक्ताः भवन्ति॥

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मणाः: Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणाः: कर्ता (Subject; part of list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), बहुवचन (Plural)

• क्षत्रियाः: Kshatriyas
• क्षत्रियाः: कर्ता (Subject; part of list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), बहुवचन (Plural)

• वैश्याः: Vaishyas
• वैश्याः: कर्ता (Subject; part of list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), बहुवचन (Plural)

• स्त्रियः: women
• स्त्रियः: कर्ता (Subject; part of list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), बहुवचन (Plural)

• शूद्र: Shudra
• शूद्र: समासाङ्ग (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रातिपदिक-रूप (stem form; in compound)

• अन्त्यज: outcaste
• अन्त्यज: समासाङ्ग (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्त्यज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रातिपदिक-रूप (stem form; in compound)

• आदयः: and others
• आदयः: कर्ता (Subject; continuation marker)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); 'etc.' sense

• संपूज्य: having worshipped
• संपूज्य: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial to implied main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-पूज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वक्रिया (prior action)

• तु: indeed
• तु: सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), emphasis/contrast

• सुरश्रेष्ठम्: the best of the gods
• सुरश्रेष्ठम्: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर + श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: सुराणां श्रेष्ठः (best of gods)

• भक्ताः: devotees
• भक्ताः: कर्ता (Subject; those people as devotees)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्त (प्रातिपदिक; √भज्-क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), बहुवचन (Plural); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle used as noun: devotees)

• सिंहवपुःधरम्: bearing a lion-form
• सिंहवपुःधरम्: विशेषण (Qualifier of सुरश्रेष्ठम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सिंह + वपुस् + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः: सिंहस्य वपुः (body/form) धरति (one who bears)

Speaker

Narada (within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue frame, Uttara-Bhaga narration)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Nrisimha
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that sincere worship of Nṛsiṃha (the supreme divine protector) opens the way of devotion to all people, regardless of social category, highlighting bhakti as universally accessible.

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

Bhakti is presented as arising from proper worship (saṃpūjya) of the Lord—devotion is not restricted by birth or status, but is cultivated through reverent, wholehearted devotion to Vishnu as Nṛsiṃha.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse primarily stresses ritual devotion (pūjā) rather than a specific Vedāṅga; practically, it implies correct performance of worship procedures (kalpa-oriented conduct) leading to devotion.