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 ||
بھردواج نے کہا—اس لوک سے پرے ایک پرلوک کا ذکر تو سنا جاتا ہے، مگر وہ براہِ راست محسوس نہیں ہوتا۔ میں اسے جاننا چاہتا ہوں؛ لہٰذا آپ بیان فرمائیں۔
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.