Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 65
Sṛṣṭi-pralaya-kathana: Mahābhūta-guṇāḥ, Vṛkṣa-indriya-vādaḥ, Prāṇa-vāyu-vyavasthā
न श्रृण्वंति न पश्यंति न गंधरसवेदिनः । न च स्पर्शं हि जानंति ते कथं पंच धातवः ॥ ६५ ॥
na śrṛṇvaṃti na paśyaṃti na gaṃdharasavedinaḥ | na ca sparśaṃ hi jānaṃti te kathaṃ paṃca dhātavaḥ || 65 ||
Sie hören nicht und sehen nicht; sie nehmen weder Duft noch Geschmack wahr und kennen nicht einmal die Berührung. Wie könnten sie dann (offenbar) aus den fünf Elementen bestehen?
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a Moksha-Dharma context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It teaches viveka (discrimination): the five elements are inert and cannot perceive; perception belongs to the sense-faculties and ultimately the conscious Self, so one should not mistake the body-elements for the Atman.
By separating the non-sentient elements from the conscious knower, the verse supports surrender to the Lord as the inner witness; such clarity stabilizes Vishnu-bhakti by reducing identification with the material body.
It aligns with foundational sāṅkhya-style tattva-vivecana used in dharma and moksha teachings: distinguishing pañca-bhūtas (elements) from indriyas (sense instruments), a practical framework applied in meditation and self-inquiry rather than ritual technique.