Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 87

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

Devanagari script

स्मृतार्तिनाशनं विष्णुं शरणागतपालकम् । जगत्सेव्यं जगाद्धाम परेशं करुणाकरम् ॥ ८७ ॥

Transliteration

smṛtārtināśanaṃ viṣṇuṃ śaraṇāgatapālakam | jagatsevyaṃ jagāddhāma pareśaṃ karuṇākaram || 87 ||

Translation

స్మరణమాత్రమున ఆర్తిని నశింపజేయు విష్ణువు, శరణాగతులను కాపాడు వాడు; జగత్తు సేవించదగినవాడు, జగద్ధాముడు, పరేశుడు, కరుణాకరుడు—ఆయన శరణు నేను పొందుచున్నాను।

Word by Word

• smṛta-ārti-nāśanam: destroyer of distress when remembered
• smṛta-ārti-nāśanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: smṛta (प्रातिपदिक; from √smṛ (धातु) ‘remembered’) + ārti (प्रातिपदिक) + nāśana (प्रातिपदिक; from √naś (धातु))
• Form: Accusative, Singular, Masculine; qualifies viṣṇum; ‘destroyer of distress when remembered’

• viṣṇum: Vishnu
• viṣṇum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• śaraṇa-āgata-pālakam: protector of those who seek refuge
• śaraṇa-āgata-pālakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaraṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + āgata (प्रातिपदिक; from √gam (धातु) ‘come’) + pālaka (प्रातिपदिक; from √pāl (धातु))
• Form: Accusative, Singular, Masculine; qualifies viṣṇum; ‘protector of those who have come for refuge’

• jagat-sevyam: worthy of worship by the world
• jagat-sevyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jagat (प्रातिपदिक) + sevya (प्रातिपदिक; from √sev (धातु) ‘to serve’)
• Form: Accusative, Singular, Masculine; qualifies viṣṇum; ‘worthy of service by the world’

• jagat-dhāma: abode of the world
• jagat-dhāma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jagat (प्रातिपदिक) + dhāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; apposition to viṣṇum; ‘abode of the world’

• pareśam: supreme Lord
• pareśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक) + īśa (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; ‘supreme lord’

• karuṇā-ākaram: ocean/source of compassion
• karuṇā-ākaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: karuṇā (प्रातिपदिक) + ākara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; ‘mine/source of compassion’

Speaker

Narada (in devotional praise within the dialogue context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It presents Viṣṇu as the compassionate Supreme refuge: remembering Him removes anguish, and surrender (śaraṇāgati) invokes His protection—framing devotion as a direct means to inner relief and liberation-oriented steadiness.

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

Bhakti is shown as remembrance and surrender: one turns to Viṣṇu in the heart (smṛti) and approaches Him as protector (śaraṇāgata-pālaka), worshipping Him as the universal Lord (jagat-sevya, pareśa).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is a dhārmic discipline of smaraṇa (remembrance) and śaraṇāgati as daily sādhana, which supports ritual life by centering it on devotion to Viṣṇu.