Sa Tu Asmin Parama-Prema-Rupa (Narada Bhakti Sutra 2) — Word-by-Word Meaning

सा त्वस्मिन् परमप्रेमरूपा

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

सा

sā

That (she — bhakti, devotion, which is feminine in Sanskrit and was the subject announced in the first sutra)

तु

But, indeed (an emphatic particle distinguishing true devotion from mere ritual or sentiment)

अस्मिन्

asmin

In Him, towards Him (the Lord, God)

परम

parama

Supreme, highest, ultimate

प्रेम

prema

Love (selfless, intense love, not desire or attachment)

रूपा

rūpā

Of the nature of, having the form of (feminine, agreeing with sā/bhakti)

परमप्रेमरूपा

parama-prema-rūpā

Of the very nature of supreme love — devotion is defined as the highest love directed to God

सा तु

sā tu

That (devotion), however — picking up the subject 'bhakti' from sutra 1 to now give its definition

अमृत

amṛta

Immortality, the nectar of deathless, blissful existence

स्वरूपा च

svarūpā ca

And of the very nature of — sutra 3, declaring that bhakti is itself of the nature of immortality

अमृतस्वरूपा च

amṛta-svarūpā ca

And it is of the very nature of immortality — on attaining it the devotee partakes of deathless bliss

Complete Translation

That (devotion), indeed, 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 2

Author: Attributed to Devarshi Narada

Period: Ancient (classical period of the Bhakti tradition)

Immediately after announcing in the first aphorism that he will expound devotion, the sage Narada gives, in this second sutra, the very definition of bhakti: it is of the nature of supreme love (parama-prema) toward the Lord. The text then continues to describe the marks of this love — that on attaining it a person becomes perfect, immortal and wholly satisfied; that it cannot be measured by desire because it is its own fulfilment; and that it surpasses the paths of action and knowledge. This sutra is therefore regarded as the heart of Narada's teaching, declaring devotion to be love itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'Sa tu asmin parama-prema-rupa' mean?▼

It means 'That (devotion) is of the nature of supreme love towards Him (the Lord).' It is the second sutra of the Narada Bhakti Sutra and gives the core definition of bhakti as the highest, selfless love directed to God.

Why is bhakti called 'parama-prema' (supreme love)?▼

Because true devotion is not motivated by fear, duty or desire for reward but is love for God's own sake. 'Parama' means supreme or highest, and 'prema' means selfless love — so bhakti is the purest and most exalted form of love possible.

How does this sutra connect to the first sutra?▼

The first sutra ('Athato bhaktim vyakhyasyamah') announces that devotion will be expounded. This second sutra immediately defines it: that devotion (sā) is of the nature of supreme love toward the Lord. Together they open the text by naming the subject and giving its essence.

How is the word 'sā' (that, she) used here?▼

In Sanskrit the word bhakti is grammatically feminine, so it is referred to as 'sā' ('that' or 'she'). The whole definition — parama-prema-rūpā — is in the feminine to agree with bhakti.

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