Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56
Sṛṣṭi-varṇana, Bhārata-khaṇḍa-mahātmya, and Jagad-bhūgola
Creation, Glory of Bhārata, and World Geography
शिवेति नीलकण्ठेति शङ्करेतिच यः स्मरेत् । सर्वभूतहितो नित्यं सोऽभ्यर्च्यो दिविजैः स्मृतः ॥ ५६ ॥
śiveti nīlakaṇṭheti śaṅkaretica yaḥ smaret | sarvabhūtahito nityaṃ so'bhyarcyo divijaiḥ smṛtaḥ || 56 ||
Ai tưởng niệm (Đấng Chúa) bằng các danh xưng “Śiva”, “Nīlakaṇṭha”, “Śaṅkara”, sẽ luôn hướng lòng vì lợi ích của muôn loài; người ấy được xem là đáng được thờ kính, đến cả chư thiên cũng tôn thờ.
Narada (teaching in a devotional-instruction context; traditional dialogue frame with the Sanatkumara sages)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that sincere remembrance of Shiva through his sacred names purifies the heart and naturally manifests as compassion and active goodwill toward all beings, making the devotee worthy of honor even among the devas.
Bhakti is shown here as nāma-smaraṇa (remembrance of divine names): repeated recollection of Shiva’s epithets (“Śiva,” “Nīlakaṇṭha,” “Śaṅkara”) transforms inner disposition into steady benevolence (sarvabhūta-hita), which is a hallmark of mature devotion.
The verse primarily emphasizes devotional practice rather than a Vedāṅga technicality; practically, it points to disciplined recitation/remembering of names (a japa-style discipline) and the ethical fruit of dharma—universal welfare.