Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16
Śuka’s Origin, Mastery of Śāstra, and Testing at Janaka’s Court
यथा ह्यग्नियथा वायुर्यथा भूमिर्यथा जलम् । यथा खे च तथा शुद्धो भविष्यति सुतस्तंव ॥ १६ ॥
yathā hyagniyathā vāyuryathā bhūmiryathā jalam | yathā khe ca tathā śuddho bhaviṣyati sutastaṃva || 16 ||
അഗ്നി എത്ര ശുദ്ധമോ, വായു, ഭൂമി, ജലം—ആകാശവും അതുപോലെ—അങ്ങനെ തന്നേ നിന്റെ പുത്രനും ശുദ്ധനാകും।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada / consoling an inquirer in Moksha-dharma context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It uses the naturally purifying imagery of the five elements to affirm that inner purification is possible and will manifest as a transformed, purified life—here expressed as the purity of one’s son (i.e., one’s lineage/fruit of actions) becoming refined through dharmic and spiritual means.
Though not naming Vishnu directly, the verse supports a core bhakti principle: divine-oriented practice and right conduct purify the devotee’s inner nature, producing visible fruits (peace, virtue, purity) just as the elements are inherently cleansing.
The verse is more ethical-philosophical than technical; practically, it aligns with samskāra and śuddhi principles used in kalpa (ritual procedure) where purity is cultivated through prescribed disciplines and purificatory observances.