Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 40

Mārkaṇḍeya-varṇanam

The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya

Devanagari script

परं ज्योतिः परं धाम पवित्रं परमं पदम् । सर्वैकरूपं परमं प्रणतोऽस्मि जनार्दनम् ॥ ४० ॥

Transliteration

paraṃ jyotiḥ paraṃ dhāma pavitraṃ paramaṃ padam | sarvaikarūpaṃ paramaṃ praṇato'smi janārdanam || 40 ||

Translation

Ikaw ang Kataas-taasang Liwanag, ang Kataas-taasang Tahanan, ang pinakadalisay—ang pinakamataas na kalagayan. Kay Janārdana, ang Kataas-taasan na iisang anyo sa loob ng lahat ng anyo, ako’y nagpapatirapa.

Word by Word

• param: Supreme
• param: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• jyotiḥ: Light/Radiance
• jyotiḥ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jyotis (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• param: Supreme
• param: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• dhāma: Abode/Splendor
• dhāma: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• pavitram: Pure/Holy
• pavitram: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pavitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• paramam: Supreme/Highest
• paramam: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• padam: State/Position/Abode
• padam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• sarvaikarūpam: Whose form is the unity of all
• sarvaikarūpam: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + eka + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• paramam: Supreme
• paramam: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• praṇataḥ: Bowed
• praṇataḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra + nam (धातु) -> praṇata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; PPP

• asmi: I am
• asmi: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (धातु)
• Form: Lat Lakara, Uttama Purusha, Ekavachana

• janārdanam: Janardana
• janārdanam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janārdana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Janardana
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It identifies Janārdana (Viṣṇu) as the ultimate reality—supreme light, supreme abode, and the highest goal—framing liberation (paramaṃ padam) as attained through surrender and praise.

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

Bhakti is expressed as praṇāma (humble surrender) and stuti (glorification), recognizing the Lord as both transcendent (supreme abode) and immanent (one essence in all forms).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; its practical takeaway is mantra-like stuti usage—reciting such praise as part of daily Viṣṇu worship and purification (pavitram).