Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 50
Mārkaṇḍeya-varṇanam
The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya
ये हिताः सर्वजन्तूनां गतासूया अमत्सराः । वशिनो निस्पृहाः शान्तास्ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ५० ॥
ye hitāḥ sarvajantūnāṃ gatāsūyā amatsarāḥ | vaśino nispṛhāḥ śāntāste vai bhāgavatottamāḥ || 50 ||
Wer das Wohl aller Wesen sucht, frei ist von Neid und Arg, sich selbst beherrscht, ohne Begierde und von Frieden erfüllt — der ist wahrlich ein höchster Bhāgavata, ein erhabenster Verehrer des Herrn.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It defines the bhāgavata-uttama not by status or learning, but by inner purity—universal goodwill, absence of envy, self-mastery, desirelessness, and peace—showing that devotion is proven through character.
Bhakti here is inseparable from compassion and non-competitiveness (amatsarya). A devotee devoted to Bhagavān naturally becomes calm, self-controlled, and free from craving, benefiting all beings rather than seeking personal gain.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is sādhana-oriented dharma—sense-control (vaśitva), non-envy, and inner tranquility as daily disciplines supporting bhakti.