Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20
Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative
स्वाचारमनतिक्रम्य हरिभक्तिपरो हि यः । स याति विष्णुभवनं यद्वै पश्यन्ति सूरयः ॥ २० ॥
svācāramanatikramya haribhaktiparo hi yaḥ | sa yāti viṣṇubhavanaṃ yadvai paśyanti sūrayaḥ || 20 ||
যে ব্যক্তি নিজের স্বাচার লঙ্ঘন না করে হরিভক্তিতে নিবিষ্ট থাকে, সে বিষ্ণুধামে গমন করে—যে ধাম সূরিগণ দর্শন করেন।
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that liberation-oriented devotion is not lawless; steadfast Hari-bhakti must be grounded in svācāra (one’s rightful dharma), leading to Viṣṇu’s abode known to realized seers.
Bhakti is presented as single-pointed devotion to Hari, but practiced without abandoning ethical and scriptural conduct—this integrated path is said to culminate in attaining Viṣṇu-bhavana.
The verse emphasizes applied dharma through right conduct (ācāra), which in practice relies on smṛti-based norms and correct observance of rites—supported indirectly by Vedāṅga disciplines like Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Vyākaraṇa (clarity of scriptural meaning).