Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
श्रृणोति कथितं जीवः कर्णाभ्यांन श्रृणोति तत् । महर्षे मनसि व्यग्रे तस्माज्जीवो निरर्थकः ॥ ३४ ॥
śrṛṇoti kathitaṃ jīvaḥ karṇābhyāṃna śrṛṇoti tat | maharṣe manasi vyagre tasmājjīvo nirarthakaḥ || 34 ||
جیوا کہی ہوئی بات سنتا ہے، مگر وہ محض کانوں سے ہی نہیں سنتا؛ اے مہارشی، جب من بےچین ہو تو جیوا گویا بےمقصد ہو جاتا ہے۔
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada as ‘maharṣe’)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It teaches that mere physical hearing of scripture is not real śravaṇa; without a collected mind, teachings do not enter the heart, and spiritual effort becomes fruitless.
Bhakti begins with attentive listening to the Lord’s names and teachings; if the mind wanders, even hearing kīrtana or kathā yields little transformation, so focus is essential for devotion to mature.
It emphasizes the discipline behind śravaṇa and mantra-prayoga: correct practice is not only sound (śikṣā) but also sustained attention; otherwise recitation and listening fail to produce intended results.