Athato Bhaktim Vyakhyasyamah (Narada Bhakti Sutra 1) — Word-by-Word Meaning

अथातो भक्तिं व्याख्यास्यामः

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

अथ

atha

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

अतः

ataḥ

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

भक्तिम्

bhaktim

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

व्याख्यास्यामः

vyākhyāsyāmaḥ

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

अथ अतः

atha ataḥ

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

भक्तिं व्याख्यास्यामः

bhaktiṃ vyākhyāsyāmaḥ

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

अथातो

athāto

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

व्याख्या

vyākhyā

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

सा तु अस्मिन् परमप्रेमरूपा

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

अमृतस्वरूपा च

amṛta-svarūpā ca

And it is of the very nature of immortality (the deathless, blissful state) — sutra 3

Complete Translation

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)

Origin & History

Source: Narada Bhakti Sutra, Sutra 1

Author: Attributed to Devarshi Narada

Period: 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'Athato Bhaktim Vyakhyasyamah' mean?▼

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.

Why does the text begin with 'atha ataḥ' (now, therefore)?▼

'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.

Who is Narada and what is the Narada Bhakti Sutra?▼

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.

Why does the sutra say 'we shall expound' in the plural?▼

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.

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