Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 90
Threefold Suffering, Twofold Knowledge, and the Definition of Bhagavān (Vāsudeva); Prelude to Keśidhvaja–Janaka Yoga
अहमेतदितीत्युञ्चैः कुरुते कुमतिर्मतिम् । आकाशवाय्वग्रिजलपृथिवीभिः पृथक् स्थिते ॥ ८८ ॥
ahametaditītyuñcaiḥ kurute kumatirmatim | ākāśavāyvagrijalapṛthivībhiḥ pṛthak sthite || 88 ||
แม้อาตมันจะเป็นอิสระและแยกจากอากาศ วายุ ไฟ น้ำ และแผ่นดินโดยแท้ แต่ปัญญาที่หลงผิดกลับยึดมั่นเสียงดังว่า ‘เราคือสิ่งนี้ (กายนี้)’.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in Moksha-Dharma context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
It diagnoses bondage as a cognitive error: the deluded mind claims “I am this body,” even though the true Self is separate from the five material elements. Liberation begins with this discrimination (ātma-viveka).
By weakening bodily identification, the seeker’s “I” can be redirected from the perishable element-made body toward devotion to the imperishable Lord; bhakti becomes steadier when अहंकार (egoic ‘I am the body’) is reduced.
A practical takeaway aligns with Vyākaraṇa-style precision of meaning: the verse urges correct usage of “aham” (I) by distinguishing the true referent (Ātman) from the body’s elemental constituents—an applied discipline of definition and discrimination.