Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9
Maṅgalācaraṇa, Naimiṣāraṇya-Sabhā, Sūta-Āhvāna, and Narada Purāṇa-Māhātmya
यज्ञैर्यज्ञपतिं केचिज्ज्ञानैर्ज्ञानात्मकं परे । केचिच्च परया भक्त्या नारायणमपूजयन् ॥ ८ ॥
yajñairyajñapatiṃ kecijjñānairjñānātmakaṃ pare | kecicca parayā bhaktyā nārāyaṇamapūjayan || 8 ||
Unos adoraron al Señor del sacrificio mediante sacrificios; otros, mediante el conocimiento, adoraron a Aquel cuya naturaleza es el conocimiento. Y otros, con bhakti suprema, adoraron a Nārāyaṇa.
Narada (in the opening teaching dialogue, typically addressed to/within the Sanatkumara tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It presents a Narada Purana framework of multiple valid approaches—yajña (ritual), jñāna (realization), and parā-bhakti (supreme devotion)—all directed toward the same Supreme Lord, Nārāyaṇa.
Bhakti is shown as “parayā bhaktyā,” a direct and supreme mode of worship of Nārāyaṇa, emphasizing heartfelt surrender rather than dependence solely on ritual performance or intellectual pursuit.
The verse primarily points to yajña practice (which presupposes correct Śikṣā and Vyākaraṇa for mantra recitation and Kalpa for ritual procedure), while also acknowledging jñāna as an inner discipline leading to God-realization.