Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56
Mārkaṇḍeya-varṇanam
The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya
सर्वेषां हितवाक्यानि ये वदन्ति नरोत्तमाः । ये गुणग्राहिणो लोके ते वै भागवताः स्मृताः ॥ ५६ ॥
sarveṣāṃ hitavākyāni ye vadanti narottamāḥ | ye guṇagrāhiṇo loke te vai bhāgavatāḥ smṛtāḥ || 56 ||
जे नरश्रेष्ठ सर्वांच्या हिताचे वचन बोलतात आणि या लोकी जे गुणग्राही (दुसऱ्यांचे सद्गुण पाहणारे) आहेत—तेच भागवत म्हणून स्मरणात आहेत।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada the characteristics of a Bhāgavata)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It defines a Bhāgavata not merely by identity or ritual, but by conduct: speech that benefits all beings and a mind trained to recognize virtue, reflecting devotion expressed as compassion and sattvic discernment.
Bhakti is shown as ethical devotion—serving others through uplifting speech and honoring good qualities in people—indicating a devotee’s heart aligned with Bhagavān’s welfare-oriented nature.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Śikṣā, Vyākaraṇa, or Jyotiṣa) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is dhārmic speech (hitavākya) and guṇa-darśana (seeing virtues), which support proper conduct in all Vedic disciplines and rituals.