Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
गतिर्यस्य प्रमाणं वा संस्थानं वा न विद्यते । समिधामुपयोगांते यथाग्निर्नोपलभ्यते ॥ २३ ॥
gatiryasya pramāṇaṃ vā saṃsthānaṃ vā na vidyate | samidhāmupayogāṃte yathāgnirnopalabhyate || 23 ||
สิ่งนั้นไม่มีการเคลื่อนไหว ไม่มีสิ่งวัดประมาณ และไม่มีรูปทรงที่กำหนด; ดุจไฟที่ไม่อาจพบเมื่อฟืนถูกใช้จนหมด—ฉันใด ปรมตัตตวะก็ไม่อาจถูกกำหนดให้เห็นฉันนั้น
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It points to the Supreme/Ātman as beyond motion, measurement, and shape—known not by external proofs but by direct realization, like fire that cannot be pointed to once its fuel is exhausted.
By implying that the ultimate goal is not an object to be “measured” or “seen,” it encourages surrender and inward contemplation; Bhakti matures into steady absorption where the seeker stops objectifying God and rests in His presence.
It implicitly references pramāṇa (means of valid knowledge)—a key epistemic idea used in śāstric reasoning—teaching that even rigorous proof has limits when approaching Brahman, so practice must culminate in direct experience (anubhava).