Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 8
The Account of the Lalitā Hymn, the Protective Armor
Kavaca), and the Thousand Names (Sahasranāma
प्रकाशानां प्रकाशाय ज्ञानिनां ज्ञानरूपिणे । पुरस्तात्पार्श्वयोः पृष्ठे नमः कुर्यामुपर्यधः ॥ ८ ॥
prakāśānāṃ prakāśāya jñānināṃ jñānarūpiṇe | purastātpārśvayoḥ pṛṣṭhe namaḥ kuryāmuparyadhaḥ || 8 ||
Ehrerbietung Ihm, dem Licht aller Lichter, der Gestalt des Wissens für die Wissenden. Vor mir, zu meinen Seiten, hinter mir, oben und unten—möge ich in alle Richtungen Verehrung darbringen.
Suta (narrating the Narada–Sanatkumara instruction; invocatory verse within the Vedanga/śāstra context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It frames the study/practice of śāstra as beginning with all-pervasive reverence to the Supreme—depicted as the source of all illumination and the very essence of knowledge—so that the seeker’s mind and surroundings become sanctified in every direction.
By turning knowledge itself into an act of worship: the devotee bows to the Lord as the Light behind all understanding, offering namaskāra “everywhere” (front, sides, back, above, below), which expresses continuous remembrance and surrender.
A practical pre-study/pre-ritual convention: directional reverence and mental “dik-sankalpa” (acknowledging all quarters) to establish auspiciousness—often paired with mantra, purity, and correct recitation (śikṣā) before engaging technical learning.