Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34
Varṇāśrama Saṁskāras, Upanayana Windows, Brahmacārin Ācāra, and Anadhyāya Prohibitions
ज्ञानवृद्धास्तपोवृद्धा वयोवृद्धा इति त्रयः । आध्यात्मिकादिदुःखानि निवारयति यो गुरुः ॥ ३४ ॥
jñānavṛddhāstapovṛddhā vayovṛddhā iti trayaḥ | ādhyātmikādiduḥkhāni nivārayati yo guruḥ || 34 ||
Es gibt drei Arten von „Älteren“: die im Wissen Gereiften, die in Askese (tapas) Gereiften und die im Alter Gereiften. Doch wahrhaft Guru ist allein derjenige, der die Leiden, beginnend mit den ādhātmika—den inneren Bedrängnissen—, vertreibt.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the guru-discourse context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)
FAQs
It defines a ‘true Guru’ not by age or reputation but by efficacy: the genuine teacher is the one who can remove the disciple’s inner and threefold sufferings and lead toward clarity and liberation.
By implying that Bhakti and other sādhana become fruitful under proper guidance: a real Guru clears inner obstacles (ādhyātmika duḥkha) that block steady remembrance and devotion to the Lord.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is discernment (viveka) in choosing a teacher based on transformative spiritual results, not external seniority.