Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 53
Sṛṣṭi-varṇana, Bhārata-khaṇḍa-mahātmya, and Jagad-bhūgola
Creation, Glory of Bhārata, and World Geography
हरिकीर्तनशीलो वा तद्भक्तानां प्रियोऽपि वा । शुक्षषुर्वापि महतः सवेद्यो दिविजैरपि ॥ ५३ ॥
harikīrtanaśīlo vā tadbhaktānāṃ priyo'pi vā | śukṣaṣurvāpi mahataḥ savedyo divijairapi || 53 ||
హరి నామకీర్తనలో నిమగ్నుడైనవాడు గానీ, హరి భక్తులకు ప్రియుడైనవాడు గానీ—బయటకు క్షీణించి కృశంగా కనిపించినా అతడు మహాత్ముడు; దేవతలకూ తెలిసి గౌరవింపదగినవాడు।
Narada (teaching in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It declares that genuine greatness is measured by devotion—Hari-kīrtana and love for His devotees—rather than by outward strength or appearance; such a devotee is honored even by the devas.
It highlights two core limbs of Bhakti: chanting Hari’s glories (kīrtana) and valuing the Lord’s devotees (bhakta-prītyā). Both mark a mahātmā, even if the body seems weak.
No specific Vedanga technique is taught; the practical takeaway is dharmic discernment—judge spiritual worth by bhakti-lakṣaṇa (signs of devotion) rather than external austerity or physical condition.