Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34
Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative
वर्णाश्रमाचाररता भगवद्भक्तिलालसाः । कामादिदोष्नि र्मुक्तास्ते सन्तो लोकशिक्षकाः ॥ ३४ ॥
varṇāśramācāraratā bhagavadbhaktilālasāḥ | kāmādidoṣni rmuktāste santo lokaśikṣakāḥ || 34 ||
مَن لزموا واجبات الفَرْنَا والآشْرَمَا، وتشوّقوا إلى البهاكتي للبهغفان، وتحرّروا من عيوبٍ كالشهوة—أولئك هم القدّيسون حقًّا، معلّمو العالم.
Sanatkumara (to Narada, in the dialogue on the characteristics of the sādhus)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It defines a “saint” as one who harmonizes outer dharma (varṇa-āśrama duties) with inner purity (freedom from kāma and other faults) and directs life toward Bhagavān-bhakti, thereby becoming a guide for society.
Bhakti is shown as an active longing for Bhagavān that naturally demands purification—overcoming desire and related defects—so devotion becomes steady and capable of uplifting others.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is dharma-application—living varṇa-āśrama ācāra with self-restraint (indriya-nigraha) as a foundation for bhakti.