Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 40
Śuka’s Origin, Mastery of Śāstra, and Testing at Janaka’s Court
इतिहासं च कार्त्स्न्येन वेदशास्त्राणि चाभितः । गुरवे दक्षिणां दत्त्वा समावृत्तो महामुनिः ॥ ४० ॥
itihāsaṃ ca kārtsnyena vedaśāstrāṇi cābhitaḥ | gurave dakṣiṇāṃ dattvā samāvṛtto mahāmuniḥ || 40 ||
Nachdem er die Itihāsa vollständig und die vedischen Śāstras in jeder Hinsicht gemeistert hatte, gab der große Weise dem Lehrer die Dakṣiṇā und kehrte als Vollendeter aus der Schülerzeit zurück.
Narada (narrative voice within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It presents the dharmic completion of sacred learning: mastery of Itihāsa and Vedic śāstras must be sealed with humility and gratitude through guru-dakṣiṇā, after which one becomes fit to proceed toward higher aims like Mokṣa-dharma.
While not explicitly naming bhakti, it reinforces a bhakti-like attitude of reverence and surrender toward the guru—seen as the gateway to scriptural understanding—thereby preparing the seeker for disciplined devotion and right practice.
The verse emphasizes comprehensive śāstra-learning and the orthodox educational milestone of samāvartana; it implies the structured curriculum of Vedic disciplines (including Vedāṅga-based study) culminating in guru-dakṣiṇā and formal return to householder-ready life.