Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 40
The Description of the Glory of the Purāṇa
Purāṇa-Māhātmya
चतुर्वर्गप्रदं नॄणां कोऽन्यस्तत्सदृशो गुरुः । कायेन मनसा वाचा धनाद्यैरपि संततम् ॥ ४० ॥
caturvargapradaṃ nṝṇāṃ ko'nyastatsadṛśo guruḥ | kāyena manasā vācā dhanādyairapi saṃtatam || 40 ||
Quel autre guru serait comparable à celui qui accorde aux hommes les quatre buts de l’existence ? Aussi faut-il le servir sans cesse par le corps, l’esprit et la parole, et même par les richesses et autres moyens.
Narada (teaching in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It elevates the guru as the unique conduit of the four human aims (puruṣārthas), urging lifelong, holistic service as the practical foundation for dharma and liberation.
It presents devotion as steady guru-sevā—offering one’s actions, intentions, words, and resources—training the devotee in surrender and disciplined dedication that supports Viṣṇu-bhakti in the Purāṇic ethos.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Śikṣā, or Jyotiṣa) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is the dhārmic discipline of guru-upāsanā (service and reverence), which is the prerequisite for receiving such knowledge correctly.