Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20
Janaka Instructs Śuka: Āśrama-Sequence, Guru-Dependence, and Marks of Liberation
आचार्यः प्लाविता तस्य ज्ञानं प्लव इहोच्यते । विज्ञाय कृतकृत्यस्तु तीर्णस्तत्रोभयं त्यजेत् ॥ २० ॥
ācāryaḥ plāvitā tasya jñānaṃ plava ihocyate | vijñāya kṛtakṛtyastu tīrṇastatrobhayaṃ tyajet || 20 ||
اس کے لیے آچارْیہ ہی پار لگانے والا ہے اور یہاں گیان کو کشتی کہا گیا ہے۔ حقیقت کو جان کر کِرتکرتیہ ہو جائے، اور جب پار اتر جائے تو وسیلہ کے طور پر گرو اور گیان—دونوں کو ترک کر دے۔
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-Dharma dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It teaches that guru and jñāna are indispensable means to cross saṃsāra, but after direct realization one should not cling to the instruments—freedom includes non-attachment even to sacred means.
While the verse is framed in jñāna-language, it supports bhakti by emphasizing surrender to guidance (ācārya) and then resting in the attained truth without egoic clinging to methods—mature devotion culminates in effortless abiding.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught here; the practical takeaway is sādhanā-viveka—treat teachings and techniques as a raft for crossing, not as possessions to be held onto after realization.