Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 99

The Recitation of the Thousand Names of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa (Yugala-Sahasranāma) and Śaraṇāgati-Dharma

Devanagari script

रुक्मिवैरूप्यकरणो रुक्मिणीवचने रतः । बलभद्रवचोग्राही मुक्तरुक्मी जनार्दनः ॥ ९९ ॥

Transliteration

rukmivairūpyakaraṇo rukmiṇīvacane rataḥ | balabhadravacogrāhī muktarukmī janārdanaḥ || 99 ||

Translation

阇那尔达那使鲁克米形貌受损；乐于成就鲁克米妮之言；采纳婆罗婆陀罗的劝诫；并释放（饶恕）鲁克米，使其得以存活。

Word by Word

• रुक्मिवैरूप्यकरणः: causer of Rukmi’s disfigurement
• रुक्मिवैरूप्यकरणः: कर्तृ (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रुक्मि + वैरूप्य + करण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; बहु-पद-तत्पुरुषः (one who caused deformity to Rukmi)

• रुक्मिणीवचने: in Rukmiṇī’s words/request
• रुक्मिणीवचने: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुक्मिणी + वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे सप्तमी-एकवचनम् (Neuter, Locative 7th, Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (in Rukmiṇī’s words)

• रतः: devoted, engaged
• रतः: कर्तृ (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-निष्पन्न)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; भूतकृदन्तः (क्त; ‘attached/delighted’)

• बलभद्रवचोग्राही: one who accepts Balabhadra’s words
• बलभद्रवचोग्राही: कर्तृ (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलभद्र + वचस् + ग्राही (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-निष्पन्न)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; बहु-पद-तत्पुरुषः; ‘ग्राही’ = ग्रह्-धातोः णिनि-प्रत्ययान्त (one who accepts/takes)

• मुक्तरुक्मी: (he) who released Rukmī / the released Rukmī (epithet)
• मुक्तरुक्मी: कर्तृ (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुक्त + रुक्मिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; कर्मधारयः (Rukmī who was released / having released Rukmī—contextual epithet)

• जनार्दनः: Janārdana
• जनार्दनः: कर्तृ (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनार्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; नाम (epithet of Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa)

Speaker

Narada (as part of a Vishnu-stotra/nama-kathana section, traditionally transmitted in Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Janardana
• Rukmi
• Rukmini
• Balabhadra

FAQs

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

It portrays Janārdana as both just and compassionate—capable of punishing arrogance (Rukmī’s humiliation) yet restrained by dharma and mercy (sparing him), highlighting balanced divine governance.

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

Bhakti is shown as loving surrender to the Lord’s character: He honors His devotee Rukmiṇī’s request, listens to elders like Balabhadra, and acts for the devotee’s protection—encouraging trust in Vishnu’s responsive grace.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse functions as nāma-arthānusandhāna (contemplation on divine epithets), a practical discipline aligned with Vyākaraṇa/Nirukta-style meaning-analysis used in stotra recitation and memorization.