Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 84
Sṛṣṭi-pralaya-kathana: Mahābhūta-guṇāḥ, Vṛkṣa-indriya-vādaḥ, Prāṇa-vāyu-vyavasthā
शब्दः स्पर्शश्च रूपं च रसश्चापि गुणाः स्मृताः । रसज्ञानं तु वक्ष्यामि तन्मे निगदतः श्रृणु ॥ ८४ ॥
śabdaḥ sparśaśca rūpaṃ ca rasaścāpi guṇāḥ smṛtāḥ | rasajñānaṃ tu vakṣyāmi tanme nigadataḥ śrṛṇu || 84 ||
శబ్దం, స్పర్శ, రూపం, రసం—ఇవే గుణములని స్మృతులు చెప్పినవి. ఇప్పుడు రసజ్ఞానాన్ని వివరిస్తాను; నేను చెప్పునది శ్రద్ధగా వినుము.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It frames sensory experience as analyzable “qualities” (guṇas) and signals a shift from mere perception to discriminative knowledge—an approach used in Moksha-dharma to loosen attachment to sense-objects.
Indirectly, it supports bhakti by teaching discernment: when sound, touch, form, and taste are understood as transient sense-qualities, the mind more easily turns from craving toward steady remembrance and devotion to the Supreme.
The verse is more aligned with philosophical analysis (Sāṅkhya/Vedānta-style indriya-viveka) than a specific Vedāṅga; practically, it trains careful observation of perception—useful for disciplined recitation, ritual focus, and meditative practice.