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 ||
ภรทวาชกล่าวว่า “ได้ยินว่ามีโลกที่อยู่เหนือโลกนี้ แต่ไม่อาจประจักษ์ได้โดยตรง ข้าพเจ้าปรารถนาจะรู้โลกนั้น ดังนั้นขอท่านโปรดอธิบายแก่ข้าพเจ้าเถิด”
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.