Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24

Ekādaśī Vrata-Vidhi and the Galava–Bhadrashīla Itihāsa

Dharmakīrti before Yama

Devanagari script

उपवासव्रतपरो धर्मकार्यपरायणः । चाण्डालान्पतितांश्चैव नेक्षेदपि कदाचन ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

upavāsavrataparo dharmakāryaparāyaṇaḥ | cāṇḍālānpatitāṃścaiva nekṣedapi kadācana || 24 ||

Translation

ومن كان مواظبًا على نذر الصوم، منصرفًا إلى أعمال الدharma، فلا ينبغي له قطّ، في أي وقت، أن ينظر ولو نظرةً إلى الشاندالا وإلى الساقطين عن السلوك القويم.

Word by Word

• उपवास-व्रत-परः: devoted to the fasting vow
• उपवास-व्रत-परः: Karta-anuguṇa (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपवास (प्रातिपदिक) + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक) + पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (विषय-निर्देश): ‘उपवासव्रते परः’ = devoted to the fasting-vow

• धर्म-कार्य-परायणः: intent on religious duties
• धर्म-कार्य-परायणः: Karta-anuguṇa (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + कार्य (प्रातिपदिक) + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: ‘धर्मकार्ये परायणः’ = intent on righteous duties

• चाण्डालान्: Chandalas (outcastes)
• चाण्डालान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चाण्डाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• पतितान्: the fallen (degenerates)
• पतितान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पतित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √पत् (धातु))
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त; अर्थः ‘पतित’ (fallen)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• एव: indeed, just
• एव: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक निपात (emphatic particle)

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation particle)

• ईक्षेत्: should look at/see
• ईक्षेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ईक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपदम्

• अपि: even
• अपि: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अपि-कार (particle: even/also)

• कदाचन: ever, at any time
• कदाचन: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कदाचन (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (adverb of time)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada on vrata-dharma and purity rules)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It emphasizes strict vrata-discipline: during fasting and religious observance, one should guard the senses and mind by avoiding impure influences and distractions, remaining focused on dharma-kārya.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

By insisting on regulated conduct (sadācāra) and sense-restraint during vows, the verse supports bhakti as a disciplined life of purity and single-minded dedication to sacred duty, which steadies devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa/Dharma-śāstra style ritual protocol—practical rules for vrata performance and maintaining śauca (ritual purity) while undertaking upavāsa.