Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 43

The Greatness of Viṣṇu

Uttaṅka’s Hymn, Hari’s Manifestation, and the Boon of Bhakti

Devanagari script

किङ्किणीनूपुराद्यैश्च शोभितं गरुडध्वजम् । दृष्ट्वा ननाम विप्रेन्द्रो दण्डवत्क्षितिमण्डले ॥ ४३ ॥

Transliteration

kiṅkiṇīnūpurādyaiśca śobhitaṃ garuḍadhvajam | dṛṣṭvā nanāma viprendro daṇḍavatkṣitimaṇḍale || 43 ||

Translation

Thấy Đức Chúa có cờ hiệu mang Garuḍa, lại được trang sức bằng những món trang sức leng keng như vòng chân, chuông nhỏ, vị Bà-la-môn tối thượng liền cúi lạy, phủ phục như cây gậy trên mặt đất.

Word by Word

• kiṅkiṇīnūpurādyaiḥ: with small bells, anklets, etc.
• kiṅkiṇīnūpurādyaiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kiṅkiṇīnūpurādya (kiṅkiṇī-nūpura-ādya)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; Tadgunasamvijnana Bahuvrihi

• ca: and
• ca: Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय)

• śobhitam: adorned/beautified
• śobhitam: Visheshana (Adjective to devam/garuḍadhvajam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubh (धातु) + kta
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; Past Passive Participle

• garuḍadhvajam: one who has Garuda as his emblem (Vishnu)
• garuḍadhvajam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: garuḍadhvaja (garuḍa-dhvaja)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Purvakalika Kriya (Prior Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Ktva Pratyaya (Absolutive/Gerund)

• nanāma: bowed down
• nanāma: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nam (धातु)
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha, Singular

• viprendraḥ: Lord of Brahmins (Uttanka)
• viprendraḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viprendra (vipra-indra)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; Shasthi Tatpurusha

• daṇḍavat: like a stick/staff (prostrate)
• daṇḍavat: Kriya Visheshana (Adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: daṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial suffix (vat)

• kṣitimaṇḍale: on the surface of the earth
• kṣitimaṇḍale: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣitimaṇḍala (kṣiti-maṇḍala)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

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

It teaches the immediate, embodied response to divine darśana: recognizing Viṣṇu (Garuḍa-dhvaja) and offering total surrender through daṇḍavat praṇāma, a hallmark of humble bhakti.

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

Bhakti is shown as reverential action rooted in recognition—upon seeing the Lord’s auspicious form and symbols, the devotee-sage expresses devotion through full prostration, placing ego and body in service.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual conduct (kalpa-style ācāra) is implied: proper bodily gesture in worship—daṇḍavat namaskāra as a prescribed devotional etiquette when approaching a deity or sacred presence.