Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 57
The Exposition of Spiritual Knowledge
Jñāna-pradarśanam
वेदमालि कदाचित्तु ज्ञानलेशप्रचोदितः । कोऽहं मम क्रिया केति स्वयमेव व्यचिन्तयत् ॥ ५७ ॥
vedamāli kadācittu jñānaleśapracoditaḥ | ko'haṃ mama kriyā keti svayameva vyacintayat || 57 ||
വേദമാലി ഒരിക്കൽ ജ്ഞാനത്തിന്റെ ചെറിയ ലേശം കൊണ്ടു പ്രേരിതനായി സ്വയം ചിന്തിച്ചു—“ഞാൻ ആരാണ്? എന്റെ ക്രിയ (കർതവ്യം) എന്ത്?”
Suta (narrator, continuing the account)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It marks the turning point where even a small awakening of knowledge (jñānaleśa) triggers deep self-inquiry—“Who am I?”—which is presented as the seed of liberation-oriented discernment.
By questioning “Who am I?” and “What is my real action?”, the seeker begins to shift from ego-driven activity to God-centered living; such inner clarity becomes the ground on which Vishnu-bhakti can become steady and sincere.
The verse highlights the correct evaluation of kriyā—whether one’s actions are merely external ritual performance or aligned with inner understanding—an essential discernment that supports disciplined practice across Vedic ritual and conduct.