Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 6
The Narration of the Brāhma Purāṇa’s Account
Brāhma Purāṇānukramaṇikā
ऋषिः सनातनश्चायं यथा वेद तथाऽपरः । न वेद तस्मात्पृच्छ त्वं बहुकल्पविदां वरम् ॥ ६ ॥
ṛṣiḥ sanātanaścāyaṃ yathā veda tathā'paraḥ | na veda tasmātpṛccha tvaṃ bahukalpavidāṃ varam || 6 ||
This sage Sanātana knows as the other sage knows the Veda. Since he does not know this matter, you should ask the foremost among those who know many kalpas.
Suta (narrative voice, directing the questioner toward the best authority)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It emphasizes discernment in spiritual inquiry: when a topic is not known in a given circle, one should approach the most qualified authority—here, the sage renowned for knowledge across many kalpas—so that dharma and puranic history are received accurately.
Bhakti in the Narada Purana is grounded in right hearing (śravaṇa). This verse supports that foundation by instructing the seeker to hear from the most competent teacher, ensuring devotion is guided by authentic puranic and dharmic understanding rather than uncertainty.
The verse highlights epistemic discipline rather than a specific Vedanga: proper pramāṇa (reliable sourcing) and guru-selection—key to transmitting śāstra, purāṇa, and kalpa-related cosmology without error.