Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9
Janaka Instructs Śuka: Āśrama-Sequence, Guru-Dependence, and Marks of Liberation
सोऽहं पितुर्नियोगात्त्वा मुपप्रष्टुमिहागतः । तन्मे धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ट यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि ॥ ९ ॥
so'haṃ piturniyogāttvā mupapraṣṭumihāgataḥ | tanme dharmabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭa yathāvadvaktumarhasi || 9 ||
So bin ich auf Geheiß meines Vaters hierher gekommen, um dich zu befragen. Darum, o Bester unter den Bewahrern des Dharma, sollst du mir die Sache richtig und in gebührender Ordnung darlegen.
Narada (in dialogue, addressing a senior Dharma-knower—commonly Sanatkumara in this section’s dialogue flow)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It establishes the proper foundation for moksha-dharma teaching: humble inquiry, legitimate authorization (a senior’s command), and approaching the foremost upholder of dharma to receive accurate instruction.
Bhakti begins with śraddhā and surrender to guidance—here shown as respectful approach to a realized teacher and a request for “yathāvat” (true, orderly) teaching, which later supports disciplined devotion and right practice.
The verse highlights the discipline of proper inquiry and transmission (upadeśa-paramparā): asking in the right manner and receiving precise instruction—an essential prerequisite for applying śāstra correctly (including grammar/interpretation and ritual procedure when relevant).