Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31
Śuka’s Yoga-ascent, the Echo of ‘Bhoḥ’, and the Vaikuṇṭha Vision
ततः प्रभृति वाऽद्यापि शब्दानुञ्चारितान्पृथक् । गिरिगह्वरपृष्टेषु व्याजहार शुकं प्रति ॥ ३१ ॥
tataḥ prabhṛti vā'dyāpi śabdānuñcāritānpṛthak | girigahvarapṛṣṭeṣu vyājahāra śukaṃ prati || 31 ||
Depuis ce temps—jusqu’à ce jour—ces sons, distinctement articulés, sont renvoyés séparément le long des parois des grottes et des ravins de la montagne, comme s’ils s’adressaient à Śuka.
Narrator (Suta-style narration within the Purana’s dialogue framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)
Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)
FAQs
It uses the image of an echo to show how spoken truth and sacred sound (śabda) can endure beyond the moment—suggesting that teachings given in purity continue to reverberate in the world and in memory, pointing seekers again toward mokṣa.
By highlighting the persistence of uttered words, it supports bhakti practices like nāma-japa and śravaṇa: the Lord’s names and saintly instructions, once voiced and heard, keep returning to the mind—strengthening loving remembrance and steady devotion.
The verse implicitly points to Śikṣā (phonetics) and correct articulation: sounds are said to be repeated “distinctly” (pṛthak), underscoring that precise pronunciation of mantras and sacred recitation preserves meaning and efficacy.