Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 28
The Characteristics of Devotion to Hari
किं न पश्यसि देवर्षे ह्यायुषार्द्धं तु निद्र या । हतं च भोजनाद्यैश्च कियदायुः समाहृतम् ॥ २८ ॥
kiṃ na paśyasi devarṣe hyāyuṣārddhaṃ tu nidra yā | hataṃ ca bhojanādyaiśca kiyadāyuḥ samāhṛtam || 28 ||
হে দেৱর্ষি, তুমি নেদেখা নে—আয়ুৰ অর্ধেক নিদ্ৰাত নষ্ট হয়? আহাৰ আদি বিষয়তোও ক্ষয় হয়; তেন্তে পৰম উদ্দেশ্যৰ বাবে কিমান আয়ু সঞ্চিত থাকে?
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It warns that a large portion of human life is consumed by sleep and bodily maintenance, urging urgency (saṁvega) and detachment (vairāgya) so that remaining time is used for sādhana and liberation-oriented living.
By highlighting time lost to sleep and indulgence, it indirectly instructs a bhakta to protect daily time for nāma-japa, smaraṇa, pūjā, and service—so devotion becomes steady rather than occasional.
Not a technical Vedāṅga lesson; it is practical dharma-śikṣā about disciplined lifestyle (niyama)—moderation in sleep and food—supporting study, mantra practice, and sustained spiritual routines.