Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 49
Bhāgīratha’s Bringing of the Gaṅgā
एवं बहुतिथं कालं नीत्वा यात्यन्तधैर्यवान् । ध्यायन्नारायणं देवं शीर्णपर्णाशनोऽभवत् ॥ ४९ ॥
evaṃ bahutithaṃ kālaṃ nītvā yātyantadhairyavān | dhyāyannārāyaṇaṃ devaṃ śīrṇaparṇāśano'bhavat || 49 ||
Thus, after passing a very long time, he—steadfast in supreme fortitude—went on, meditating upon Lord Nārāyaṇa, and came to live on withered leaves as his food.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It highlights sustained sādhana: long-term endurance (dhairya) combined with uninterrupted meditation on Nārāyaṇa, culminating in increased austerity and detachment from ordinary sustenance.
Bhakti here is shown as continuous remembrance (dhyāna) of Nārāyaṇa that stabilizes the mind and empowers the devotee to live simply, even accepting minimal food, without losing devotion.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is disciplined dhyāna and tapas as a lived method of spiritual training.