Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 83
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
तमोग्रस्तान पश्यंति प्रकाशंतमसावृताः । सुदुष्प्रकाश इत्याहुर्नरकं तम एव च ॥ ८३ ॥
tamograstāna paśyaṃti prakāśaṃtamasāvṛtāḥ | suduṣprakāśa ityāhurnarakaṃ tama eva ca || 83 ||
Ceux que saisit le tamas (l’obscurité) perçoivent même ce qui est lumineux comme voilé de ténèbres. Ils disent : « difficile à éclairer », et cette obscurité même est l’enfer.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-Dharma dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that “hell” is not only a place but an inner condition: when tamas dominates, even clear truth appears obscure, and that obscuration itself becomes suffering.
By implying that devotion and remembrance of the Divine remove tamas; when the heart is purified, the “light” (dharma and truth) is naturally perceived rather than dismissed as unknowable.
No specific Vedanga is taught directly; the practical takeaway is discernment (viveka): recognize tamas-driven perceptions and counter them through disciplined study, ethical conduct, and steady spiritual practice.