Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

स्वाचारमनतिक्रम्य हरिभक्तिपरो हि यः । स याति विष्णुभवनं यद्वै पश्यन्ति सूरयः ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

svācāramanatikramya haribhaktiparo hi yaḥ | sa yāti viṣṇubhavanaṃ yadvai paśyanti sūrayaḥ || 20 ||

Translation

Ang hindi lumalabag sa sariling wastong asal (svācāra) at tunay na nakatuon sa bhakti kay Hari, siya’y makararatíng sa tahanan ni Viṣṇu—sa kahariang nasisilayan ng mga pantas na rishi.

Word by Word

• svācāram: own conduct/duty
• svācāram: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svācāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• anatikramya: not transgressing/following
• anatikramya: Purvakalika Kriya (Prior Action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anatikram (धातु)
• Form: Lyap Pratyaya (Absolutive/Gerund)

• haribhaktiparaḥ: devoted to the worship of Hari
• haribhaktiparaḥ: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: haribhaktipara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• hi: indeed
• hi: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle

• yaḥ: who
• yaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• yāti: goes
• yāti: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yā (या)
• Form: Lat Lakara (Present), Prathama Purusha (3rd), Singular

• viṣṇubhavanam: abode of Vishnu
• viṣṇubhavanam: Karma (Destination/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇubhavana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• yat: which
• yat: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• vai: verily
• vai: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (Emphasis)

• paśyanti: see
• paśyanti: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (दृश्)
• Form: Lat Lakara (Present), Prathama Purusha (3rd), Plural

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

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Hari
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It teaches that liberation-oriented devotion is not lawless; steadfast Hari-bhakti must be grounded in svācāra (one’s rightful dharma), leading to Viṣṇu’s abode known to realized seers.

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

Bhakti is presented as single-pointed devotion to Hari, but practiced without abandoning ethical and scriptural conduct—this integrated path is said to culminate in attaining Viṣṇu-bhavana.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes applied dharma through right conduct (ācāra), which in practice relies on smṛti-based norms and correct observance of rites—supported indirectly by Vedāṅga disciplines like Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Vyākaraṇa (clarity of scriptural meaning).