Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 67
Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya
आश्रमी ध्याननिरतः संशयच्छित्सुवुद्धिमान् । नित्यानुष्टानसंयुक्तस्त्वाचार्यः परिकीर्तितः ॥ ६७ ॥
āśramī dhyānanirataḥ saṃśayacchitsuvuddhimān | nityānuṣṭānasaṃyuktastvācāryaḥ parikīrtitaḥ || 67 ||
Người sống đúng kỷ luật của các āśrama, chuyên tâm thiền định, có trí tuệ chặt đứt mọi nghi hoặc, và kiên định trong các nghi lễ bổn phận hằng ngày—người ấy được tôn xưng là Ācārya (bậc thầy chân chính).
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the dialogue on śāstric disciplines and qualifications)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It defines an Ācārya not merely by scholarship, but by lived āśrama-dharma, meditative steadiness, the ability to remove disciples’ doubts, and faithful performance of nitya-karmas—uniting conduct, contemplation, and teaching authority.
While not explicitly naming Bhakti, it frames genuine guidance as coming from a disciplined, inwardly focused teacher whose steady practice and clarity dissolve confusion—creating the conditions in which devotion and right understanding can mature.
It highlights the pragmatic standard for śāstra instruction: an Ācārya must be competent in resolving saṃśaya (interpretive doubt) and grounded in nitya-anuṣṭhāna (daily ritual/discipline), a core requirement for reliable Vedāṅga-based teaching.