Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
भृगुरुवाच । न प्राणाः सन्ति जीवस्य दत्तस्य च कृतस्य च । याति देहांतरं प्राणी शरीरं तु विशीर्यते ॥ १८ ॥
bhṛguruvāca | na prāṇāḥ santi jīvasya dattasya ca kṛtasya ca | yāti dehāṃtaraṃ prāṇī śarīraṃ tu viśīryate || 18 ||
ഭൃഗു പറഞ്ഞു—പ്രാണങ്ങൾ ജീവന്റെ യഥാർത്ഥ സ്വരൂപമല്ല; ‘ദത്തം’ (ദാനം) അല്ല, ‘കൃതം’ (കർമ്മം) അല്ല (ആത്മാവ്). ജീവി മറ്റൊരു ദേഹത്തിലേക്ക് പോകുന്നു; ഈ ശരീരം മാത്രം ക്ഷയിച്ച് ചിതറിപ്പോകുന്നു॥१८॥
Sage Bhṛgu
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It distinguishes the imperishable jīva from prāṇa (life-force), actions (kṛta), and gifts/merit (datta), emphasizing that the soul transmigrates while the body disintegrates—supporting a moksha-centered view of identity beyond the physical.
By loosening identification with body and life-breath, the verse prepares the seeker to take refuge in the eternal reality (often expressed in the Purana through devotion to Viṣṇu/Nārāyaṇa), making bhakti a stable practice not dependent on bodily conditions.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; it is primarily Vedānta-style moksha instruction clarifying categories—body (śarīra), life-force (prāṇa), and karma (kṛta/datta)—to guide right understanding and detachment.