Shloka 4
एकान्तिधर्म-प्रश्नः (Inquiry into Ekāntin Dharma) / The Origin and Practice of Single-Pointed Nārāyaṇa-Centered Discipline
गुप्तानि चत्वारि यथागमं मे शत्रौ च मित्रे च समो5स्मि नित्यम् । त॑ चादिदेवं सतत प्रपन्न एकान्तभावेन वृणोम्यजस््रम्
guptāni catvāri yathāgamaṁ me śatrau ca mitre ca samo ’smi nityam | taṁ cādidevaṁ satataṁ prapanna ekāntabhāvena vṛṇomy ajasram ||
Dijo Nārada: «Conforme a la tradición sagrada, guardo ocultos cuatro asuntos. Permanezco siempre ecuánime ante enemigo y amigo. Y sin cesar me refugio en ese Dios Primordial; con devoción de un solo corazón, lo elijo ininterrumpidamente.»
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches two complementary disciplines: (1) ethical self-governance through discretion—keeping certain matters confidential as sanctioned by tradition—and (2) inner steadiness—maintaining equal-mindedness toward friend and foe. Both are grounded in sustained refuge and exclusive devotion to the Primordial Lord.
Nārada is speaking in the Śānti Parva, presenting a personal statement of conduct and spiritual orientation: he follows scriptural guidance, practices impartiality in social relations, and lives in continuous surrender to the Ādideva with single-pointed devotion.