Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 157
Mokṣopāya: Bhakti-rooted Jñāna and the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Viṣṇu-Meditation
वाच्यं तु परमं ब्रह्म वाचकः प्रणवः स्मृतः । वाच्यवाचकसंबन्धो ह्युपचारात्तयोर्द्विजा ॥ ५७ ॥
vācyaṃ tu paramaṃ brahma vācakaḥ praṇavaḥ smṛtaḥ | vācyavācakasaṃbandho hyupacārāttayordvijā || 57 ||
Brahman Tertinggi ialah yang ditunjukkan (vācya), dan Praṇava “Oṃ” diingati sebagai penunjuknya (vācaka). Wahai yang dua kali lahir, hubungan antara yang ditunjuk dan penunjuk itu disebut hanya menurut konvensi (secara kiasan).
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada and other dvijas in the Moksha-oriented discourse)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It clarifies that Oṃ (Praṇava) functions as a sacred indicator of the Supreme Brahman, but the link between word and Absolute is ultimately conventional—guiding the seeker from sound (mantra) toward direct realization (brahma-jñāna).
By presenting Oṃ as a revered pointer to Brahman, it supports mantra-upāsanā (devotional contemplation through sacred sound), where devotion uses a symbol (Praṇava) to steady the mind on the Supreme.
It reflects Vyākaraṇa/Nirukta-style insight into meaning: the vācya–vācaka (signified–signifier) relation is not literal identity but a taught convention, important for correct mantra interpretation and disciplined recitation.