Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 91
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
अप्राप्य एष काम्य गुणविशेषो न चैनमभिशीलयंति । तपसि श्रूयते त्रिलोककृद्ब्रह्मा प्रभुरेकाकी तिष्टति ब्रह्मचारी न कामसुखोष्वात्मानमवदधाति ॥ ९१ ॥
aprāpya eṣa kāmya guṇaviśeṣo na cainamabhiśīlayaṃti | tapasi śrūyate trilokakṛdbrahmā prabhurekākī tiṣṭati brahmacārī na kāmasukhoṣvātmānamavadadhāti || 91 ||
କାମ୍ୟ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟରେ ଆକାଙ୍କ୍ଷିତ ଏହି ବିଶେଷ ଗୁଣ ଲଭ୍ୟ ହୁଏନାହିଁ; ଲୋକମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଏହାକୁ ସତ୍ୟରୂପେ ଅଭ୍ୟାସ କରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ। ତପସ୍ୟା-ପରମ୍ପରାରେ ଶୁଣାଯାଏ—ତ୍ରିଲୋକକର୍ତ୍ତା ପ୍ରଭୁ ବ୍ରହ୍ମା ଏକାକୀ ବ୍ରହ୍ମଚାରୀ ହୋଇ ଅବସ୍ଥିତ, ଏବଂ କାମଜ ସୁଖରେ ମନ ନିବେଶ କରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-Dharma dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It teaches that true spiritual excellence is not gained by chasing desire-based goals; it is cultivated through tapas and brahmacarya—turning the mind away from kāma-sukha and toward inner steadiness that supports moksha.
By warning against fixing the mind on sense-pleasures, the verse sets the prerequisite for steady bhakti: when desire subsides through restraint and austerity, the heart becomes fit for one-pointed remembrance and loving devotion to the Supreme.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana, Jyotisha, or Kalpa) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is ethical discipline—brahmacarya and tapas—as foundational sādhanā that supports all Vedic study and ritual purity.