Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31
योगस्वरूप-धारणा-समाधि-वर्णनम् (केशिध्वजोपदेशः)
न तद्योगयुजा शक्यं नृप चिन्तयितुं यतः । ततः स्थूलं हरे रूपं चिन्त्यं यच्चक्षुगोचरम् ॥ ३१ ॥
na tadyogayujā śakyaṃ nṛpa cintayituṃ yataḥ | tataḥ sthūlaṃ hare rūpaṃ cintyaṃ yaccakṣugocaram || 31 ||
O King, since that subtle, formless reality cannot be contemplated by one undisciplined in Yoga, therefore one should meditate upon the tangible form of Hari—the form that is accessible to the eye.
Sanatkumara (teaching a king in the Moksha-dharma dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It prioritizes an attainable method of contemplation: when nirguna (formless) meditation is difficult, the seeker should take refuge in saguna meditation on Hari’s manifest form, making spiritual practice accessible and steady.
Bhakti is supported through a concrete focus—Hari’s form—so the mind can lovingly concentrate, remember, and worship without being overwhelmed by abstract, subtle contemplation.
A practical discipline of dhyana (meditative technique) is implied: choosing an appropriate meditation-object (ālambana) suited to one’s capacity—here, a visible form—so attention and remembrance can be trained consistently.