Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 40
Śuka’s Origin, Mastery of Śāstra, and Testing at Janaka’s Court
इतिहासं च कार्त्स्न्येन वेदशास्त्राणि चाभितः । गुरवे दक्षिणां दत्त्वा समावृत्तो महामुनिः ॥ ४० ॥
itihāsaṃ ca kārtsnyena vedaśāstrāṇi cābhitaḥ | gurave dakṣiṇāṃ dattvā samāvṛtto mahāmuniḥ || 40 ||
ഇതിഹാസം പൂർണ്ണമായി, വേദശാസ്ത്രങ്ങൾ എല്ലാതരത്തിലും അധ്യയനം ചെയ്ത്, ഗുരുവിന് ദക്ഷിണ നൽകി മഹാമുനി സമാവർത്തനമായി മടങ്ങി വന്നു।
Narada (narrative voice within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It presents the dharmic completion of sacred learning: mastery of Itihāsa and Vedic śāstras must be sealed with humility and gratitude through guru-dakṣiṇā, after which one becomes fit to proceed toward higher aims like Mokṣa-dharma.
While not explicitly naming bhakti, it reinforces a bhakti-like attitude of reverence and surrender toward the guru—seen as the gateway to scriptural understanding—thereby preparing the seeker for disciplined devotion and right practice.
The verse emphasizes comprehensive śāstra-learning and the orthodox educational milestone of samāvartana; it implies the structured curriculum of Vedic disciplines (including Vedāṅga-based study) culminating in guru-dakṣiṇā and formal return to householder-ready life.