Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 48

The Recitation of the Thousand Names of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa (Yugala-Sahasranāma) and Śaraṇāgati-Dharma

Devanagari script

बालानुयीयी बलवान् श्रीदामप्रिय आत्मवान् । गोपीगृहांगणरतिर्भद्रः सुश्लोकमंगलः ॥ ४८ ॥

Transliteration

bālānuyīyī balavān śrīdāmapriya ātmavān | gopīgṛhāṃgaṇaratirbhadraḥ suślokamaṃgalaḥ || 48 ||

Translation

ఆయన బాలుల వెంట నడిచేవాడు, బలవంతుడు, శ్రీదామునకు ప్రియుడు, ఆత్మవంతుడు. గోపికల గృహాంగణములలో రమించువాడు—భద్రుడు, సుశ్లోకములచే మంగళప్రదుడు।

Word by Word

• बालानुयायी: one who follows the children
• बालानुयायी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बाल + अनु + या (धातु) → अनुयायिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कृदन्तः—णिनि-प्रत्ययान्त (अनुयायिन् = follower); समासः कर्म-तत्पुरुषः (बालान् अनुयाति)

• बलवान्: strong
• बलवान्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त (possessive adjective)

• श्रीदामप्रियः: dear to Śrīdāman
• श्रीदामप्रियः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीदामन् + प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (श्रीदाम्नः प्रियः)

• आत्मवान्: self-possessed
• आत्मवान्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आत्मवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त (self-possessed)

• गोपीगृहाङ्गणरतिः: delight in the gopīs’ house-courtyards
• गोपीगृहाङ्गणरतिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोपी + गृह + अङ्गण + रति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गोपीगृहाङ्गणे रतिः/आसक्तिः)

• भद्रः: auspicious, good
• भद्रः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सुश्लोकमङ्गलः: auspicious through good verses
• सुश्लोकमङ्गलः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + श्लोक + मङ्गल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सुश्लोकस्य मङ्गलः/सुश्लोकैः मङ्गलः)

Speaker

Narada (in discourse to the Sanatkumara brothers, within the Narada Purana dialogue frame)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: hasya

Characters & Entities

• Śrīdāma
• Gopīs

FAQs

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

It highlights the auspicious power of remembering and praising the Lord’s Vraja-līlā—His childlike play, companionship, and intimacy with devotees—showing that such remembrance itself becomes maṅgala (a blessing).

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

Bhakti is shown as affectionate, personal relationship: the Lord is “dear to Śrīdāma,” mingles with children, and delights in the gopīs’ courtyards—teaching that loving closeness and heartfelt praise are central to devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse points to the devotional use of well-formed sacred speech—suśloka (good verse/praise)—which aligns with Vyākaraṇa and Chandas in practice: correct, meaningful composition and recitation used as maṅgala (auspicious invocation).