Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 46
Ekādaśī Vrata-Vidhi and the Galava–Bhadrashīla Itihāsa
Dharmakīrti before Yama
एवमेतादृशी बुद्धिः कथं जातार्भकस्यते । विनापि महतां सेवां हरिभक्तिर्हि दुर्लभा ॥ ४६ ॥
evametādṛśī buddhiḥ kathaṃ jātārbhakasyate | vināpi mahatāṃ sevāṃ haribhaktirhi durlabhā || 46 ||
अशी महान बुद्धी तुझ्यात—तू तर अजून बालकच आहेस—कशी उत्पन्न झाली? कारण महात्म्यांची सेवा असूनही हरिभक्ती खरोखरच दुर्लभ आहे।
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada in the teaching dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It stresses that genuine devotion to Hari is not a casual attainment; it is exceedingly rare and is treated as a grace-filled awakening of higher discernment (buddhi), not merely a social or intellectual achievement.
The verse highlights bhakti as a rare inner transformation: even serving great saints (mahat-sevā)—a primary means for purification—does not automatically guarantee Hari-bhakti, indicating the need for deep receptivity, humility, and divine favor.
No specific Vedanga (such as Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Śikṣā) is taught here; the practical takeaway is the discipline of mahat-sevā (service to the wise) as a foundational sādhanā supporting dharma and the rise of bhakti.