Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24
Śuka’s Origin, Mastery of Śāstra, and Testing at Janaka’s Court
भावित्वाञ्चैव भाव्यस्य घृताच्या वपुषा । हृतम् यत्नान्नियच्छतश्चापि मुने एतञ्चिकीर्षया ॥ २४ ॥
bhāvitvāñcaiva bhāvyasya ghṛtācyā vapuṣā | hṛtam yatnānniyacchataścāpi mune etañcikīrṣayā || 24 ||
Ô sage, même lorsqu’on s’efforce de retenir l’esprit avec l’intention d’accomplir cette discipline spirituelle, l’esprit—qui projette ce qui n’est pas encore—se laisse emporter par la forme enchanteresse de Ghṛtācī, douce comme le ghṛta, c’est-à-dire la jouissance des sens.
Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It warns that even sincere effort at self-restraint can fail if the mind keeps projecting future enjoyments; attraction to pleasurable appearances can ‘steal’ awareness, so vigilance and detachment (vairagya) are essential for moksha-dharma.
By showing how easily the mind is diverted by sweetness-like pleasures, the verse implies the need to anchor attention in a higher taste—steady remembrance and devotion—so that desire for sensory gratification does not overpower one’s spiritual resolve.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana or Jyotisha) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is sadhana-oriented—discipline of intention (cikīrṣā), restraint (niyama), and recognizing how mental projection fuels attachment.