Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 26

Gaṅgā-māhātmya: Bāhu’s Envy, Defeat, Forest Exile, and Aurva’s Dharmic Consolation

Devanagari script

अपि मूर्खान्धबधिरजडाः शूरा विवेकिनः । श्लाघ्या भवन्ति विप्रेन्द्र प्रेक्षिता माधवेन ये ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

api mūrkhāndhabadhirajaḍāḥ śūrā vivekinaḥ | ślāghyā bhavanti viprendra prekṣitā mādhavena ye || 26 ||

Translation

Hỡi bậc tối thượng trong hàng Bà-la-môn, ngay cả kẻ ngu, người mù, kẻ điếc và kẻ đần độn cũng trở nên đáng tán dương—thậm chí thành dũng sĩ và người có trí phân biệt—khi được Mādhava (Viṣṇu) đoái nhìn.

Word by Word

• api: even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) — concessive/emphatic ‘even’

• mūrkha-andha-badhira-jaḍāḥ: fools, blind, deaf, and dull persons
• mūrkha-andha-badhira-jaḍāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūrkha + andha + badhira + jaḍa (प्रातिपदिक-समूह)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural — itaretara-dvandva ‘fools, blind, deaf, dull-witted’

• śūrāḥ: heroes/brave ones
• śūrāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śūra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural — in apposition to subject group

• vivekinaḥ: discerning persons
• vivekinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vivekin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural — ‘discerning ones’ (apposition)

• ślāghyāḥ: praiseworthy
• ślāghyāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ślāghya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural — predicate adjective

• bhavanti: become/are
• bhavanti: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person, Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada

• vipra-indra: O best of Brahmins
• vipra-indra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th), Singular — tatpuruṣa ‘chief of brahmins’

• prekṣitāḥ: looked upon
• prekṣitāḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Participial qualifier)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (कृत्: क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Plural — ‘having been looked at’

• mādhavena: by Madhava (Vishnu)
• mādhavena: Karta (कर्ता/Agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mādhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• ye: who
• ye: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural — relative pronoun referring to persons

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Madhava
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that Vishnu’s grace (Mādhava’s glance) can uplift anyone beyond natural limitations—turning weakness and ignorance into praiseworthy spiritual capability.

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

It highlights bhakti as grace-centered: sincere connection that leads to darśana (being seen by the Lord) is portrayed as transformative, making inner virtues like courage and discernment arise through divine favor.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is devotional discipline aimed at darśana—cultivating purity, faith, and reverence so one becomes fit for divine grace.