Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 59

Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy

Transition to Vedānta Inquiry

Devanagari script

एते चान्येच बहवो नग्नरक्तपटादिकाः । पाषंडाः प्रचारिष्यंति प्रायो वेदविदूषकाः ॥ ५९ ॥

Transliteration

ete cānyeca bahavo nagnaraktapaṭādikāḥ | pāṣaṃḍāḥ pracāriṣyaṃti prāyo vedavidūṣakāḥ || 59 ||

Translation

এরা আৰু আন বহুতে—নগ্নতা, ৰক্তবস্ত্ৰ আদি চিহ্নধাৰী—পাষণ্ড দল হিচাপে প্ৰচাৰ কৰিব; আৰু অধিকাংশই বেদক কলুষিত কৰি বিকৃত কৰিব।

Word by Word

• ete: these

• ca: and

• anye: others

• ca: also

• bahavaḥ: many

• nagna: naked

• rakta-paṭa-ādikāḥ: those with red cloth and similar marks

• pāṣaṇḍāḥ: heretics/heterodox sectarians

• pracāriṣyanti: will propagate/will spread

• prāyaḥ: mostly/for the most part

• veda-vidūṣakāḥ: corrupters/defilers of the Veda

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara
• Veda

FAQs

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

It cautions that outward religious marks can be misleading, and that true spirituality is measured by fidelity to Vedic dharma rather than sectarian display that distorts scripture.

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

By warning against Veda-defiling teachings, it implicitly protects the foundation on which pure Vishnu-bhakti stands—right understanding, right conduct, and reverence for śāstra.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It underscores the need for correct śāstra-pramāṇa and disciplined interpretation—skills supported by Vedāṅgas like Vyākaraṇa (accurate wording) and Nirukta (proper meaning) to prevent distortion of Vedic teaching.