Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17
Śokanivāraṇa: Non-brooding, Impermanence, Contentment, and Śuka’s Renunciation
स्रंसंति न निवर्तंते स्रोतांसि सरितामिव । आयुरादाय मर्त्यानां रात्र्यहानि पुनःपुनः ॥ १७ ॥
sraṃsaṃti na nivartaṃte srotāṃsi saritāmiva | āyurādāya martyānāṃ rātryahāni punaḥpunaḥ || 17 ||
Comme les courants des rivières qui s’écoulent sans retour, les nuits et les jours passent sans cesse, emportant la durée de vie des mortels.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It instills vairāgya (dispassion) by showing that time never returns; each day and night irreversibly diminishes human life, urging sincere pursuit of mokṣa.
By highlighting the nonstop loss of lifespan, it presses the devotee to take refuge in lasting spiritual attainment—steadfast bhakti (especially toward Vishnu) rather than postponing practice for transient goals.
It points to kāla-viveka (discernment of time) relevant to Jyotiṣa and daily observances—using the rhythm of nights and days to structure sādhana, vrata, and disciplined living before time is spent.