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 ||
吉瓦听闻所说之语，却并非真以双耳而听；噢大圣者，当心意纷乱之时，此众生便失却一切真实的用处与旨归。
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.