Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 48
Saṃsāra-duḥkha: Karmic Descent, Garbhavāsa, Life’s Anxieties, Death, and the Call to Jñāna-Bhakti
दुर्लभं मानुषं जन्म प्रार्थ्यते त्रिदशैरपि । तल्लब्ध्वा परलोकार्थं यत्नं कुर्य्याद्विचक्षणः ॥ ४८ ॥
durlabhaṃ mānuṣaṃ janma prārthyate tridaśairapi | tallabdhvā paralokārthaṃ yatnaṃ kuryyādvicakṣaṇaḥ || 48 ||
El nacimiento humano es difícil de obtener, anhelado incluso por los dioses. Habiéndolo alcanzado, el prudente debe esforzarse con empeño por el fin del más allá, por el bien supremo.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Upadesha-style dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It declares human birth as a rare opportunity—even coveted by the devas—and urges the wise to use it for the highest spiritual aim (paraloka-artha), not merely for worldly pursuits.
By emphasizing purposeful effort for the highest end, it supports bhakti-sadhana as the most meaningful use of human life—steady practice aimed at attaining the Lord and the supreme good beyond death.
No specific Vedanga is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is sadhana-priority—disciplined effort and wise discrimination (vicakṣaṇatā) in choosing actions that lead to moksha.