Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 1
Uttaraloka
Northern Higher World), Dharma–Adharma Viveka, and Adhyatma-Prashna (Prelude
भरद्वाज उवाच । अस्माल्लोकात्परो लोकः श्रूयते नोपलभ्यते । तमहं ज्ञातुमिच्छामि तद्भवान्वक्तुमर्हति ॥ १ ॥
bharadvāja uvāca | asmāllokātparo lokaḥ śrūyate nopalabhyate | tamahaṃ jñātumicchāmi tadbhavānvaktumarhati || 1 ||
ਭਰਦਵਾਜ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ—ਇਸ ਲੋਕ ਤੋਂ ਪਰੇ ਇੱਕ ਪਰਲੋਕ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਸੁਣੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਉਹ ਪ੍ਰਤੱਖ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ। ਮੈਂ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ; ਇਸ ਲਈ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਦੱਸੋ।
Bharadvaja
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It frames a moksha-focused inquiry: the “higher world” (paraloka) is known through śāstra and realized through disciplined spiritual means, not merely through the senses.
By admitting the limits of perception and turning to a realized teacher, the verse supports bhakti’s core posture—humble seeking (śaraṇāgati) and attentive hearing (śravaṇa) as the doorway to higher truth.
It highlights pramāṇa-discipline—reliance on śabda (authoritative testimony) when pratyakṣa (sense perception) fails—an essential foundation for correct study and application of Vedic teachings.