Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 91
Mokṣopāya: Bhakti-rooted Jñāna and the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Viṣṇu-Meditation
योगं विनापि स्वाध्यायात्पापनाशो भवेन्नृणाम् । स्वाध्यायैस्तोष्यमाणाश्च प्रसीदंति हि देवताः ॥ ९१ ॥
yogaṃ vināpi svādhyāyātpāpanāśo bhavennṛṇām | svādhyāyaistoṣyamāṇāśca prasīdaṃti hi devatāḥ || 91 ||
Même sans yoga formel, les péchés des hommes sont détruits par le svādhyāya. Et les divinités, satisfaites par une telle récitation et étude, deviennent assurément bienveillantes.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that svādhyāya—reverent recitation and study of sacred texts—has intrinsic purifying power: it destroys pāpa (sin/impurity) and invokes divine grace, even if one has not mastered formal yogic disciplines.
By stating that devatās become pleased through svādhyāya, the verse frames sacred recitation as an act of worship (upāsanā). Regular chanting and study cultivate devotion, inviting prasāda (divine favor) through consistent remembrance of the divine.
The verse emphasizes disciplined recitation and study, which practically relies on Śikṣā (phonetics/pronunciation) and Vyākaraṇa (grammar) to preserve correct sound and meaning—key supports for effective svādhyāya.