Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24
योगस्वरूप-धारणा-समाधि-वर्णनम् (केशिध्वजोपदेशः)
त्रिविधा भावना रूपं विश्वमेतत्त्रिधोच्यते । ब्रह्माख्या कर्मसंज्ञा च तथा चैवोभयात्मिका ॥ २४ ॥
trividhā bhāvanā rūpaṃ viśvametattridhocyate | brahmākhyā karmasaṃjñā ca tathā caivobhayātmikā || 24 ||
Cet univers, dont la forme est façonnée par la bhāvanā (cognition et contemplation), est dit triple : (1) ce qu’on nomme Brahman, (2) ce qu’on appelle karma (action, rite), et (3) ce qui est de nature double, participant des deux.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It frames experience itself as ‘bhāvanā-shaped’ and teaches that seekers encounter reality in three modes—pure Brahman-orientation, karma-orientation, and a mixed approach—so liberation depends on understanding which mode one is cultivating.
While not naming bhakti directly, it supports bhakti by implying that inner orientation (bhāvanā) determines one’s world: devotion that fixes the mind on the Supreme (Brahman/Vishnu) shifts one from karma-bound perception toward Brahman-centered realization.
The verse implicitly distinguishes ‘karma’ as Vedic ritual/action (supported by Vedāṅga disciplines like Kalpa for ritual procedure), while contrasting it with Brahman-knowledge (Vedānta), clarifying how ritual competence differs from liberation-oriented insight.