Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 46
Ekādaśī Vrata-Vidhi and the Galava–Bhadrashīla Itihāsa
Dharmakīrti before Yama
एवमेतादृशी बुद्धिः कथं जातार्भकस्यते । विनापि महतां सेवां हरिभक्तिर्हि दुर्लभा ॥ ४६ ॥
evametādṛśī buddhiḥ kathaṃ jātārbhakasyate | vināpi mahatāṃ sevāṃ haribhaktirhi durlabhā || 46 ||
Wie konnte in dir, der du noch ein Kind bist, eine so edle Einsicht entstehen? Denn Bhakti zu Hari ist wahrlich selten—selten selbst bei Dienst und Umgang mit großen Seelen.
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada in the teaching dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It stresses that genuine devotion to Hari is not a casual attainment; it is exceedingly rare and is treated as a grace-filled awakening of higher discernment (buddhi), not merely a social or intellectual achievement.
The verse highlights bhakti as a rare inner transformation: even serving great saints (mahat-sevā)—a primary means for purification—does not automatically guarantee Hari-bhakti, indicating the need for deep receptivity, humility, and divine favor.
No specific Vedanga (such as Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Śikṣā) is taught here; the practical takeaway is the discipline of mahat-sevā (service to the wise) as a foundational sādhanā supporting dharma and the rise of bhakti.