narada-bhakti-sutrabhaktinaradadevotion

Athato Bhaktim Vyakhyasyamah (Narada Bhakti Sutra 1)

Athato Bhaktim Vyakhyasyamah (Narada Bhakti Sutra 1) in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 Before study or recitation of the Narada Bhakti Sutra, or at the start of devotional practice in the early morning·📜 Narada Bhakti Sutra, Sutra 1

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

These are the opening aphorisms (sutras) of the Narada Bhakti Sutra, the foundational text of the path of loving devotion (bhakti) attributed to the divine sage Narada. Like the famous openings of the Brahma Sutra and other sastras, the first sutra begins with 'Atha ataḥ' — 'Now, therefore' — declaring that the time has come, for the qualified seeker, to expound the supreme path of devotion. The next two sutras at once give its essence: devotion is of the nature of supreme love (parama-prema) toward God, and it is of the very nature of immortal, deathless bliss (amrita). Together they announce the entire subject of the work: bhakti, the love of God.

Origin & Story

Narada Bhakti Sutra, Sutra 1 · Attributed to Devarshi Narada · Ancient (classical period of the Bhakti tradition)

The Narada Bhakti Sutra opens, as the great philosophical works do, with the words 'Atha ataḥ' — 'Now, therefore.' Having established (in the tradition) that the seeker has turned away from lower pursuits and is ready for the highest, the sage Narada announces that he will now expound bhakti, the path of loving devotion to the Lord. This single opening aphorism sets the subject of the whole text, which goes on to define devotion as the form of supreme love and to show it as the means by which a person becomes perfect, immortal and fully content.

✦ As told in scripture

The tradition holds that Narada himself attained his exalted state as the foremost of devotees through such single-pointed love of the Lord, and that merely beginning the study of devotion with this sutra, in the right spirit, turns the heart toward God and starts to ripen it for the bliss the later sutras promise.

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The Mantra

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athāto bhaktiṃ vyākhyāsyāmaḥ (1) sā tv asmin parama-prema-rūpā (2) amṛta-svarūpā ca (3)

Meaning:Now, therefore, we shall expound (the nature of) devotion. (1) That (devotion) is of the nature of supreme love towards Him (the Lord). (2) And it is of the very nature of immortality (the nectar of deathless bliss). (3)

Word-by-Word Meaning

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atha🔊Now (an auspicious word marking the beginning of the teaching, after the seeker is ready)

ataḥ🔊Therefore, hence (because devotion is the means to the highest goal)

bhaktim🔊Devotion, loving devotion to God (the object now to be expounded)

vyākhyāsyāmaḥ🔊We shall expound, we shall explain (in the plural, as the sage speaks for the tradition of teachers)

atha ataḥ🔊Now, therefore — the traditional opening phrase signalling that the proper time and the qualified student have come for this teaching

bhaktiṃ vyākhyāsyāmaḥ🔊We shall now expound the nature of devotion (the subject of the entire work)

athāto🔊Now therefore (atha + ataḥ joined in sandhi) — a benedictory and connective opening like that of the Brahma Sutra

vyākhyā🔊Exposition, detailed explanation (the root of the verb vyākhyāsyāmaḥ)

sā tu asmin parama-prema-rūpā🔊That (devotion) is of the nature of supreme love towards Him (the Lord) — sutra 2, the definition of bhakti

amṛta-svarūpā ca🔊And it is of the very nature of immortality (the deathless, blissful state) — sutra 3

Benefits of Chanting Athato Bhaktim Vyakhyasyamah (Narada Bhakti Sutra 1)

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Opens the Narada Bhakti Sutra, the supreme scripture on the path of loving devotion (bhakti yoga).

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The auspicious word 'atha' (now) is itself considered a blessing, marking the dawn of the seeker's spiritual readiness.

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Establishes that bhakti is a worthy and complete subject of enquiry, equal to the enquiry into Brahman.

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Chanted as a sacred beginning before study or recitation of the Narada Bhakti Sutra.

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Reminds the devotee that the path of love is to be learned and lived, not merely felt.

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Sets the heart and mind in the mood of devotion before deeper teaching unfolds.

How to Chant Athato Bhaktim Vyakhyasyamah (Narada Bhakti Sutra 1)

Repetitions3times

Best TimeBefore study or recitation of the Narada Bhakti Sutra, or at the start of devotional practice in the early morning

FaceEast or North

Recite this opening sutra slowly and with reverence as the doorway into the teaching of devotion. Pause on the word 'atha' (now), feeling that this very moment is the auspicious time to take up the path of love. Then continue with the following sutras that define the nature of bhakti. It is traditionally chanted as the invocation that begins study of the entire Narada Bhakti Sutra.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Athato Bhaktim Vyakhyasyamah (Narada Bhakti Sutra 1) written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

It means 'Now, therefore, we shall expound devotion.' It is the very first sutra of the Narada Bhakti Sutra, announcing that the sage will now explain the nature of bhakti, loving devotion to God.

'Atha ataḥ' is a traditional, auspicious opening used in many Sanskrit sastras such as the Brahma Sutra and the Yoga Sutra. 'Atha' (now) signals that the right time and a qualified student have come; 'ataḥ' (therefore) connects to the reason — that devotion is the means to the highest goal.

Narada is the celebrated divine sage and devotee who travels the worlds singing the glory of the Lord. The Narada Bhakti Sutra is a short work of aphorisms attributed to him that defines bhakti, describes its forms and fruits, and declares loving devotion to be the supreme path.

The plural 'vyākhyāsyāmaḥ' (we shall expound) is a mark of humility and tradition: the sage speaks not in his own name alone but on behalf of the whole lineage of teachers of devotion who have realized and transmitted this truth.