Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

Nārada’s Hymn to Viṣṇu

Nāradasya Viṣṇu-stavaḥ

Devanagari script

लोकोद्धारपरान् युष्मान् दीनेषु कृतसौहृदान् । पृच्छे ततो वदत मे भगवल्लक्षणं बुधाः ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

lokoddhāraparān yuṣmān dīneṣu kṛtasauhṛdān | pṛcche tato vadata me bhagavallakṣaṇaṃ budhāḥ || 17 ||

Translation

你们致力于救拔诸世，对卑微者亦施以友爱；因此我请问：诸位智者，请为我宣说薄伽梵的定义之相与殊胜标志。

Word by Word

• lokoddhāraparān: intent on the upliftment of the world
• lokoddhāraparān: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lokoddhārapara (लोकोद्धारपर)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• yuṣmān: you
• yuṣmān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuṣmad (युष्मद्)
• Form: Pronoun, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• dīneṣu: towards the distressed/poor
• dīneṣu: Adhikarana (Location/Target/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dīna (दीन)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural

• kṛtasauhṛdān: who have extended friendship/compassion
• kṛtasauhṛdān: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛtasauhṛda (कृतसौहृद)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• pṛcche: I ask
• pṛcche: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prach (प्रछ्)
• Form: Lat Lakara (Present), Atmanepada, Uttama Purusha (1st), Singular

• tataḥ: therefore
• tataḥ: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (ततस्)
• Form: Adverb

• vadata: speak/tell
• vadata: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vad (वद्)
• Form: Lot Lakara (Imperative), Parasmaipada, Madhyama Purusha (2nd), Plural

• me: to me
• me: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (अस्मद्)
• Form: Pronoun, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी) or Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• bhagavallakṣaṇam: characteristics of the Lord
• bhagavallakṣaṇam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavallakṣaṇa (भगवल्लक्षण)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• budhāḥ: O wise ones
• budhāḥ: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: budha (बुध)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (Sambodhana/सम्बोधन), Plural

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Bhagavan

FAQs

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

The verse models the proper approach to divine knowledge: humility, reverence for compassionate sages, and a focused inquiry into Bhagavān’s defining marks—placing God-realization at the center of Dharma.

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

Bhakti begins with sincere questioning and hearing (śravaṇa) from the wise; Narada requests the ‘lakṣaṇa’ of Bhagavān so devotion can be directed toward the true nature of the Lord rather than vague belief.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes śāstric method—precise definition (lakṣaṇa) and disciplined inquiry—an approach aligned with Vyākaraṇa/Nyāya-style clarity, even though no specific Vedāṅga topic (like ritual timing or phonetics) is directly taught here.