Shloka 36

Glory of Puruṣottama: Pañcatīrthī Observance and Narasiṃha Worship

Devanagari script

नीलवस्त्रधरं देवं फणाविकटमस्तकम् । महाबलं हलधरं कुंडलैकविभूषितम् ॥ ३६ ॥

Transliteration

nīlavastradharaṃ devaṃ phaṇāvikaṭamastakam | mahābalaṃ haladharaṃ kuṃḍalaikavibhūṣitam || 36 ||

Translation

நீல ஆடை அணிந்த தெய்வத்தை, பாம்பின் விரிந்த பனைகளால் மாட்சியுற்ற தலையுடையவரை, மாபெரும் வலிமை கொண்ட கலப்பைத் தாங்கியவரை, ஒரே காதணியால் அலங்கரிக்கப்பட்ட ஆண்டவனைத் தியானியுங்கள்.

Word by Word

• nīlavastradharam: wearing blue garments
• nīlavastradharam: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nīla + vastra + dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (नीलानि वस्त्राणि धरति इति), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• devam: the god
• devam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• phaṇāvikaṭamastakam: whose head is formidable with serpent-hoods
• phaṇāvikaṭamastakam: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: phaṇā + vikaṭa + mastaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (फणाभिः विकटं मस्तकं यस्य), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• mahābalam: of great strength
• mahābalam: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (महच्च तत् बलम्), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• haladharam: bearing a plough
• haladharam: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hala + dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (हलम् धरति इति), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• kuṃḍalaikavibhūṣitam: adorned with earrings alone
• kuṃḍalaikavibhūṣitam: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kuṃḍala + eka + vibhūṣita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (कुण्डलैः एव विभूषितम्); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

Speaker

Narada (as part of a descriptive/meditative passage in the Uttara-Bhaga narrative style)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Balarama
• Ananta/Shesha

FAQs

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

It functions as a dhyāna-style identification of the deity through defining marks (murti-lakṣaṇa): blue attire, serpent-hood majesty, the plough, and the single earring—helping the devotee fix the mind on a specific divine form for focused worship.

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

Bhakti is supported here through concrete contemplation: by repeatedly visualizing and remembering the Lord’s attributes, the devotee stabilizes attention (smṛti/dhyāna), which deepens reverence and loving devotion toward the deity.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught directly; the verse is primarily iconographic and devotional. Practically, it supports mantra-japa and pūjā by giving a clear dhyāna-image (a common ritual aid in Purāṇic practice).