Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 89

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

Devanagari script

अयालिङ्ग्य मुनिं देवश्चतुर्भिर्दीर्घबाहुभिः । उवाच परमं प्रीत्या वरं वरय सुव्रत ॥ ८९ ॥

Transliteration

ayāliṅgya muniṃ devaścaturbhirdīrghabāhubhiḥ | uvāca paramaṃ prītyā varaṃ varaya suvrata || 89 ||

Translation

تب پروردگار نے اپنی چار دراز بازوؤں سے مُنی کو گلے لگا کر نہایت محبت سے فرمایا— “اے نیک عہد والے! جو برکت تمہیں پسند ہو وہ مانگو؛ اپنا ور چنو۔”

Word by Word

• atha: Then
• atha: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अथ)
• Form: Particle of inception/sequence

• āliṅgya: having embraced
• āliṅgya: None
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + liṅg (आ + लिङ्ग्)
• Form: Lyap Pratyaya (Absolutive/Gerund)

• munim: the sage
• munim: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (मुनि)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• devaḥ: the Lord (Vishnu)
• devaḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (देव)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• caturbhiḥ: with four
• caturbhiḥ: Karana (Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: catur (चतुर्)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd), Plural

• dīrghabāhubhiḥ: with long arms
• dīrghabāhubhiḥ: Karana (Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīrghabāhu (दीर्घबाहु)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd), Plural

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (वच्)
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha, Singular

• paramam: supreme/great
• paramam: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (परम)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• prītyā: with love/affection
• prītyā: Karana (Manner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prīti (प्रीति)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd), Singular

• varam: boon
• varam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vara (वर)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• varaya: choose/ask for
• varaya: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vṛ (वृ)
• Form: Lot Lakara (Imperative), Parasmaipada, Madhyama Purusha, Singular (Causal stem)

• suvrata: O one of good vows
• suvrata: Sambodhana (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suvrata (सुव्रत)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (Sambodhana), Singular

Speaker

Suta (narrator) describing the Lord’s words to the sage

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Deva (the Lord)
• Muni (sage)

FAQs

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

It highlights the Lord’s accessible grace: sincere ascetic discipline (suvrata) and devotion draw a personal, affectionate response from the Divine, culminating in the offering of a boon.

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

Bhakti is shown as relational and intimate—the Lord embraces the devotee-sage and speaks lovingly, indicating that devotion is met not merely with rewards but with nearness and compassion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse primarily emphasizes vrata (disciplined vow) as a practical dharmic discipline rather than a specific Vedanga; it implies that regulated conduct supports successful mantra, worship, and ritual observances.