Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 6

Gaṅgā-māhātmya: Bāhu’s Envy, Defeat, Forest Exile, and Aurva’s Dharmic Consolation

Devanagari script

अशासन्नीतिशास्त्रेण यथेष्टं परिपन्थिनः । मेने कृतार्थमात्मानमन्यातपनिवारणम् ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

aśāsannītiśāstreṇa yatheṣṭaṃ paripanthinaḥ | mene kṛtārthamātmānamanyātapanivāraṇam || 6 ||

Translation

নীতিশাস্ত্ররূপ দণ্ডের দ্বারা সে পথচারীদের ইচ্ছামতো শাসন করত; এবং ‘আমি অন্যের দুঃখ নিবারক’—এমন ভেবে নিজেকে কৃতার্থ মনে করল।

Word by Word

• अशासन्: coercive/authoritarian (as if ‘ruling by force’)

• नीतिशास्त्रेण: by a treatise/system of polity and conduct (nīti-śāstra)

• यथेष्टम्: as he wished/at will

• परिपन्थिनः: travelers/wayfarers (those on the road)

• मेने: he thought/considered

• कृतार्थम्: fulfilled/successful (having achieved the aim)

• आत्मानम्: himself

• अन्यातपनिवारणम्: remover of others’ distress/heat of suffering (anya-ātapa-nivāraṇa).

Speaker

Suta (narrator)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It highlights how worldly authority can create a delusion of ‘having done good’—a warning that self-proclaimed righteousness, when rooted in coercion and ego, is not true dharma and does not lead toward inner purification.

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

By implication, it contrasts external control with inner transformation: bhakti emphasizes humility, compassion, and surrender to Bhagavan, whereas pride in power and ‘I am the savior’ mentality obstructs devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana, Jyotisha, or Shiksha) is taught directly; the verse instead critiques nīti-śāstra used as coercive policy, reminding that technical governance without dharmic intent can become ethically hollow.