Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 55
Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative
देवा ऊचुः । नारायणाक्षरानन्त शरणागतपालक । मृकण्डुतपसा त्रस्तान्पाहि नः शरणागतान् ॥ ५५ ॥
devā ūcuḥ | nārāyaṇākṣarānanta śaraṇāgatapālaka | mṛkaṇḍutapasā trastānpāhi naḥ śaraṇāgatān || 55 ||
دیوتاؤں نے کہا— اے نارائن! اے اَکشَر، اے اَننت! پناہ لینے والوں کے محافظ! مِرکنڈو کے تپسیا سے ہم خوف زدہ ہیں؛ ہم شَرَناگتوں کی حفاظت فرما۔
Devas (the gods)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It presents Nārāyaṇa as the imperishable, infinite refuge (Akṣara-Ananta) and emphasizes śaraṇāgati—seeking divine shelter—as the sure response to fear and cosmic disturbance.
Bhakti is shown as humble surrender: the Devas openly confess their fear and rely on Nārāyaṇa’s role as śaraṇāgata-pālaka, illustrating trust in the Lord’s protective grace over self-power.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught directly; the verse instead highlights the Vedic principle of tapas (austerity) as a potent force that even affects the gods, requiring proper alignment with dharma and divine refuge.