Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 67
Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya
आश्रमी ध्याननिरतः संशयच्छित्सुवुद्धिमान् । नित्यानुष्टानसंयुक्तस्त्वाचार्यः परिकीर्तितः ॥ ६७ ॥
āśramī dhyānanirataḥ saṃśayacchitsuvuddhimān | nityānuṣṭānasaṃyuktastvācāryaḥ parikīrtitaḥ || 67 ||
ஆச்ரம தர்ம ஒழுக்கங்களைப் பின்பற்றி வாழ்ந்து, தியானத்தில் நிலைத்து, அறிவாளியாகச் சந்தேகங்களைத் தீர்க்க வல்லவனாய், நித்திய அனுஷ்டானங்களில் உறுதியாய் இருப்பவனே ‘ஆசார்யன்’ எனப் போற்றப்படுகிறான்।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the dialogue on śāstric disciplines and qualifications)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It defines an Ācārya not merely by scholarship, but by lived āśrama-dharma, meditative steadiness, the ability to remove disciples’ doubts, and faithful performance of nitya-karmas—uniting conduct, contemplation, and teaching authority.
While not explicitly naming Bhakti, it frames genuine guidance as coming from a disciplined, inwardly focused teacher whose steady practice and clarity dissolve confusion—creating the conditions in which devotion and right understanding can mature.
It highlights the pragmatic standard for śāstra instruction: an Ācārya must be competent in resolving saṃśaya (interpretive doubt) and grounded in nitya-anuṣṭhāna (daily ritual/discipline), a core requirement for reliable Vedāṅga-based teaching.