Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 4
Varṇāśrama-Dharma and the Thirty Qualities of a Human Being
नारायणपरा विप्रा धर्मं गुह्यं परं विदु: । करुणा: साधव: शान्तास्त्वद्विधा न तथापरे ॥ ४ ॥
nārāyaṇa-parā viprā dharmaṁ guhyaṁ paraṁ viduḥ karuṇāḥ sādhavaḥ śāntās tvad-vidhā na tathāpare
നാരായണപരായണരായ വിപ്രന്മാർ പരമ ഗുഹ്യമായ ഉന്നത ധർമ്മം അറിയുന്നു. നിങ്ങളെപ്പോലെ കരുണാമയരും സാദുക്കളും ശാന്തരുമായവർ മറ്റാരുമില്ല; അതുകൊണ്ട് ആ രഹസ്യധർമ്മം നിങ്ങളേക്കാൾ നന്നായി അറിയുന്നവർ ഇല്ല.
Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja knew that Nārada Muni is the supreme spiritual master of human society who can teach the path of spiritual liberation leading to the understanding of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Actually, it is for this purpose that Nārada Muni compiled his Bhakti-sūtra and gave directions in the Nārada-pañcarātra. To learn about religious principles and the perfection of life, one must take instruction from the disciplic succession of Nārada Muni. Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is directly in the line of the Brahma sampradāya. Nārada Muni received instructions from Lord Brahmā and in turn transmitted the instructions to Vyāsadeva. Vyāsadeva instructed his son Śukadeva Gosvāmī, who spoke Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is based on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā. Because Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam was spoken by Śukadeva Gosvāmī and Bhagavad-gītā was spoken by Kṛṣṇa, there is no difference between them. If we strictly follow the principle of disciplic succession, we are certainly on the right path of spiritual liberation, or eternal engagement in devotional service.
FAQs
This verse says that Nārāyaṇa-parā brāhmaṇas know the supreme, confidential dharma and are marked by compassion, saintliness, and peace.
Śukadeva highlights Parīkṣit’s rare devotional disposition and receptivity to confidential dharma, implying such qualities are uncommon among ordinary people.
By centering life on devotion to Nārāyaṇa and cultivating saintly conduct—showing mercy to others, avoiding agitation, and living with self-control and spiritual purpose.