Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 7
Anūcāna (True Learning), the Vedāṅgas, and Śikṣā: Svara, Sāmavedic Chant, and Gandharva Theory
न हायनैर्न पलितैर्न वित्तेन न बंधुभिः । ऋषयश्चक्रिरे धर्मं योऽनूचानः स नो महान् ॥ ७ ॥
na hāyanairna palitairna vittena na baṃdhubhiḥ | ṛṣayaścakrire dharmaṃ yo'nūcānaḥ sa no mahān || 7 ||
Größe wird weder durch Jahre, noch durch graues Haar, noch durch Reichtum, noch durch Verwandte erlangt. Die Weisen legten den Standard des Dharma fest: Wer wahrhaft gelehrt ist, ist der Große unter uns.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-Dharma context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira (heroic)
Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)
FAQs
It defines true greatness as inner qualification—scriptural learning and discernment that align one with dharma—rather than external markers like age, status, wealth, or family support.
Bhakti in the Narada Purana is strengthened by right understanding (śāstra-jñāna). This verse prioritizes being anūcāna (well-instructed), implying that devotion becomes steady and dharmic when guided by authentic teaching rather than social prestige.
The verse points to the primacy of disciplined study (anūcāna)—the foundation for Vedanga-based competence such as correct recitation (Śikṣā) and correct understanding through language and meaning (Vyākaraṇa/Nirukta), which support dharma and ritual accuracy.