Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 169

Vāmana’s Advent, Aditi’s Hymn, Bali’s Gift, and the Mahatmya of Bhū-dāna

Devanagari script

ऐन्द्रं पदं समासाद्य स्थितवान्कल्पपञ्चकम् । ततो भुवं समासाद्य सर्वैश्वर्यसमन्वितः ॥ ६९ ॥

Transliteration

aindraṃ padaṃ samāsādya sthitavānkalpapañcakam | tato bhuvaṃ samāsādya sarvaiśvaryasamanvitaḥ || 69 ||

Translation

他得至帝释（因陀罗）之位，住持五个劫期（kalpa）。其后降至人间大地，具足一切权势与福富。

Word by Word

• ऐन्द्रम्: Indra’s / pertaining to Indra
• ऐन्द्रम्: Karma-anubandha (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऐन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (पदम्)

• पदम्: state; position; realm
• पदम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• समासाद्य: having attained
• समासाद्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + आ + सद् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्/क्त्वा-समकक्ष अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund)

• स्थितवान्: (he) stayed
• स्थितवान्: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु) + क्तवत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्तवत्-कृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तरि; ‘stayed’

• कल्प-पञ्चकम्: for five kalpas
• कल्प-पञ्चकम्: Kala-adhikarana (काल-अधिकरण/Duration)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल्प (प्रातिपदिक) + पञ्चक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समासः (पञ्च कल्पाः = ‘five kalpas’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कालपरिमाण), एकवचन

• ततः: then
• ततः: Krama (क्रम/Sequence)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रम/अपादानार्थ (‘then/thereafter/from there’)

• भुवम्: the earth/world
• भुवम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भुव्/भू (प्रातिपदिक: भुव् ‘earth/world’)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• समासाद्य: having reached
• समासाद्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + आ + सद् (धातु)
• Form: अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund)

• सर्व-ऐश्वर्य-समन्वितः: endowed with all prosperity/powers
• सर्व-ऐश्वर्य-समन्वितः: Karta-anubandha (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + ऐश्वर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + समन्वित (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-विशेषण)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (कर्तुः)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Bhu (Earth)

FAQs

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

It highlights the Purāṇic principle that meritorious karma can yield exalted celestial status (Indrahood) for vast durations (kalpas), yet the soul still cycles through realms, returning to earthly existence with corresponding enjoyments (aiśvarya).

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

By implication, it contrasts temporary, merit-born sovereignty with the higher aim of devotion that seeks lasting liberation; worldly and heavenly aiśvarya are portrayed as results within saṃsāra rather than the ultimate goal of bhakti.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse uses Purāṇic time-measurement (kalpa), aligning with Jyotiṣa-style cosmological reckoning of vast cycles, useful for understanding scriptural chronology and the scale of karmic fruition.