Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 68
Śreyas and Paramārtha: The Ribhu–Nidāgha Teaching on Non-Dual Self
Advaita
ब्रह्मण उवाच । तथेत्युक्त्वा निदाधेन प्रणिपातपुरः सरम् । पूजितः परया भक्त्यानिच्छितः प्रययौ विभुः ॥ ६८ ॥
brahmaṇa uvāca | tathetyuktvā nidādhena praṇipātapuraḥ saram | pūjitaḥ parayā bhaktyānicchitaḥ prayayau vibhuḥ || 68 ||
Brahmā sprach: Nachdem er gesagt hatte: „So sei es“, zog der Mächtige sogleich davon—nachdem Nidāgha sich zuvor in Prostration niedergeworfen und ihn mit höchster Bhakti verehrt hatte, obgleich der Herr solche Verehrung nicht begehrte.
Brahma
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It highlights that true devotion expresses itself as humble surrender (praṇipāta) and reverent worship, and that the Divine does not require praise—yet grace flows when devotion is offered sincerely.
Bhakti is shown as “parā bhakti”—supreme devotion—manifesting through respectful approach, prostration, and honoring the Lord/teacher without bargaining for outcomes; the Lord’s departure “unsought” underscores divine independence and the purity of selfless devotion.
The verse reflects practical dharmic conduct rather than a technical Vedāṅga: proper ācāra in approaching a revered being—praṇipāta (obeisance) and pūjā (honoring)—as foundational discipline supporting higher mokṣa-oriented instruction.