Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 47
Ekādaśī Vrata-Vidhi and the Galava–Bhadrashīla Itihāsa
Dharmakīrti before Yama
स्वभावतो जनस्यास्य ह्यविद्याकामकर्मसु । प्रवर्त्तते मतिर्वत्स कथं तेऽलौकिकी कृतिः ॥ ४७ ॥
svabhāvato janasyāsya hyavidyākāmakarmasu | pravarttate matirvatsa kathaṃ te'laukikī kṛtiḥ || 47 ||
Von Natur aus, mein Kind, neigt der Geist der Menschen zu Unwissenheit, Begierde und karmischem Handeln. Wie kommt es also, dass dein Wandel und dein Erreichen so außergewöhnlich, ja überweltlich sind?
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It highlights a core Moksha-Dharma insight: the ordinary mind naturally gravitates to avidyā (misunderstanding), kāma (craving), and karma (compulsive doing). Spiritual life begins by noticing this tendency and seeking a higher, alaukika (transcendent) orientation.
By contrasting worldly impulses with “alaukikī kṛtiḥ,” the verse implies the need for a power that lifts the mind beyond desire-driven action. In the Narada tradition, steady Vishnu-bhakti redirects attention from kāma and karma toward remembrance, surrender, and purified action.
No specific Vedanga (Śikṣā, Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, etc.) is taught in this verse; it is primarily a psychological and soteriological observation used to ground later instruction on discipline, detachment, and higher knowledge.