Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
भरद्वाज उवाच । अग्नेर्यथा तस्य नाशात्तद्विनाशो न विद्यते । इन्धनस्योपयोगांते स वाग्निर्नोपलभ्यते ॥ २० ॥
bharadvāja uvāca | agneryathā tasya nāśāttadvināśo na vidyate | indhanasyopayogāṃte sa vāgnirnopalabhyate || 20 ||
Bharadvāja berkata: Seperti api yang tampak sebagai nyala; apabila nyala itu padam, hakikat unsur api tidaklah musnah. Dan apabila bahan bakar telah habis digunakan, api yang sama tidak lagi terlihat—demikian juga, hakikat tetap ada walau penampakannya lenyap.
Bharadvaja
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It distinguishes between the cessation of an appearance and the destruction of the underlying reality—supporting Moksha-Dharma teaching that the Self is not lost when mental or phenomenal manifestations subside.
By implying an imperishable reality behind changing forms, it supports steady devotion to the eternal Lord rather than attachment to temporary experiences; bhakti becomes anchored in what does not “perish” when conditions change.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana, Jyotisha, or Kalpa) is taught directly; the verse mainly uses a didactic analogy (dṛṣṭānta) to convey moksha-oriented discernment (viveka).