Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17
Mahāviṣṇu-Mantras: Aṣṭākṣarī, Sudarśana-Astra, Nyāsa Systems, Āvaraṇa-Pūjā, and Prayogas
पृथिव्यादीनि भूतानि ततोऽहंकारमेव च । महांश्च प्रकृतिश्चैवेत्यष्टौ प्रकृतयो मताः ॥ १७ ॥
pṛthivyādīni bhūtāni tato'haṃkārameva ca | mahāṃśca prakṛtiścaivetyaṣṭau prakṛtayo matāḥ || 17 ||
Bumi dan unsur-unsur lainnya, kemudian ahaṅkāra (keakuan), serta Mahat dan Prakṛti—itulah delapan prakṛti yang diakui.
Sanatkumara (teaching to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It classifies the foundational principles of material nature (prakṛti and its evolutes), helping the seeker discern the changing constituents of the world from the unchanging Self—an aid to viveka (discrimination) and mokṣa-oriented knowledge.
By mapping the structure of prakṛti (matter) and its evolutes, the verse supports bhakti through right understanding: the devotee recognizes the world as constituted of prakṛti-tattvas and turns the heart toward the transcendent Lord beyond these categories.
This is a technical, śāstra-style categorization aligned with philosophical analysis used alongside Vedāṅga-based study methods (clear definitions, enumeration, and doctrinal precision), supporting disciplined learning and interpretation of Vedic and Purāṇic doctrine.