Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 85

Bhāgīratha’s Bringing of the Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

नमः समस्तभूतानामादिभूताय भूभृते । अनेकरूपरूपाय निर्गुणाय परात्मने ॥ ८५ ॥

Transliteration

namaḥ samastabhūtānāmādibhūtāya bhūbhṛte | anekarūparūpāya nirguṇāya parātmane || 85 ||

Translation

顶礼至上我（Paramātman）——一切众生的本初根源、承载大地者。您示现无量形相，却超越一切属性，为无相德者（nirguṇa）的至上真我。

Word by Word

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambodhana/Address (सम्बोधन-प्रयोग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• समस्तभूतानाम्: of all beings
• समस्तभूतानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समस्त-भूत (प्रातिपदिक; समस्त + भूत)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; ‘of all beings collectively’

• आदिभूताय: to the primal being
• आदिभूताय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदि-भूत (प्रातिपदिक; आदि + भूत)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; ‘to the primordial being’

• भूभृते: to the earth-bearer
• भूभृते: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू-भृत् (प्रातिपदिक; भू + भृत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; ‘earth-bearer’

• अनेकरूपरूपाय: to the many-formed one
• अनेकरूपरूपाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनेक-रूप-रूप (प्रातिपदिक; अनेक + रूप + रूप)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; ‘to the one whose form is of many forms’ (emphatic repetition)

• निर्गुणाय: to the attributeless one
• निर्गुणाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; adjective used substantively

• परात्मने: to the supreme self
• परात्मने: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर-आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक; पर + आत्मन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; आत्मन्-शब्द (atman-stem) dative singular

Speaker

Narada (in a hymn of praise/stuti to the Supreme Lord)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Parātmā (Supreme Self)
• Ādi-bhūta (Primordial Being)

FAQs

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

It teaches that the Supreme is both immanent (supporting the world and appearing in many forms) and transcendent (nirguṇa), guiding the devotee toward reverence that culminates in mokṣa-oriented understanding.

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

Bhakti here is expressed as stuti and namaskāra to the Lord seen in all beings and all divine manifestations, while remembering that the same Lord ultimately surpasses all limiting attributes.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; its practical takeaway is mantra-style devotional address (stuti) using precise epithets—useful for correct liturgical recitation and contemplative japa.