Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 44
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
अचेतनं जीवगुणं वदंति स चेष्टते चेष्टयते च सर्वम् । अतः परं क्षेत्रविदो वदंति प्रावर्तयद्यो भुवनानि सप्त ॥ ४४ ॥
acetanaṃ jīvaguṇaṃ vadaṃti sa ceṣṭate ceṣṭayate ca sarvam | ataḥ paraṃ kṣetravido vadaṃti prāvartayadyo bhuvanāni sapta || 44 ||
Mereka mengatakan bahwa daya-hidup sebagai guna jīva itu tak berkesadaran; namun ia bergerak dan menggerakkan segala sesuatu. Karena itu para pengetahu Kṣetra menyatakan yang lebih tinggi darinya: Sang Kṣetrajña yang menggerakkan tujuh dunia.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in Moksha-Dharma context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It distinguishes between the seemingly active life-force (treated as a non-conscious function) and the higher conscious principle—the kṣetrajña/Ātman—described as the true impeller behind all activity across the seven worlds.
By pointing to a reality higher than prāṇa and bodily functions, it directs the seeker to worship and realize the indwelling Lord/Ātman as the real source of power—supporting bhakti as devotion to the inner ruler rather than identification with mere life-processes.
The verse is primarily Vedāntic (kṣetra–kṣetrajña viveka) rather than a direct Vedāṅga instruction; its practical takeaway is discernment—separating bodily functions like prāṇa from the conscious Self that truly governs action.