Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 22
Threefold Suffering, Twofold Knowledge, and the Definition of Bhagavān (Vāsudeva); Prelude to Keśidhvaja–Janaka Yoga
उत्पत्तिं प्रलयं चैव भूतानामागतिं गतिम् । वेत्ति विद्यामविद्यां च स वाच्यो भगवानिति ॥ २१ ॥
utpattiṃ pralayaṃ caiva bhūtānāmāgatiṃ gatim | vetti vidyāmavidyāṃ ca sa vācyo bhagavāniti || 21 ||
Celui qui connaît l’origine et la dissolution des êtres, leur venue et leur départ, et qui connaît aussi la vraie connaissance (vidyā) et l’ignorance (avidyā), celui-là doit être appelé « Bhagavān ».
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It defines “Bhagavān” as the Supreme who perfectly comprehends the full cycle of existence—creation, dissolution, and the movement of beings—along with the distinction between liberating knowledge (vidyā) and binding ignorance (avidyā).
Bhakti is grounded in right recognition of the Lord’s supremacy: the devotee worships Bhagavān as the all-knowing controller of cosmic processes and the revealer of vidyā that removes avidyā, making devotion both reverent and transformative.
The verse is primarily tattva-based rather than a technical Vedāṅga instruction; practically, it emphasizes discernment (viveka) between vidyā and avidyā—a prerequisite for applying scriptural study (especially Vyākaraṇa and Mīmāṁsā-based interpretation) toward liberation rather than mere ritualism.