Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 6
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
कृपे वा सलिलं दद्यात्प्रदीपं वा हुताशने । क्षिप्रं प्रविश्य नश्येत यथा नश्यत्यसौ तथा ॥ ६ ॥
kṛpe vā salilaṃ dadyātpradīpaṃ vā hutāśane | kṣipraṃ praviśya naśyeta yathā naśyatyasau tathā || 6 ||
Jika seseorang menuangkan air ke dalam sumur, atau menaruh pelita ke dalam api, itu segera masuk dan musnah; demikian pula hal itu pun binasa.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-Dharma context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It uses simple similes (water into a well, a lamp into fire) to stress kṣaṇikatva—how quickly worldly supports are absorbed and lost—encouraging vairāgya and a turn toward mokṣa-oriented practice.
By highlighting the unreliability of external, perishable supports, it indirectly points the seeker toward lasting refuge—steady devotion and surrender to the imperishable Lord rather than dependence on transient objects.
This verse is primarily a didactic upamā (illustrative simile) rather than a Vedāṅga technical point; its practical takeaway is ethical-spiritual discernment (viveka) used in Moksha-Dharma instruction.