Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 73

Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline

Devanagari script

विद्यां मानापमानाभ्यामात्मानं तु प्रमादतः ॥ ७३ ॥

Transliteration

vidyāṃ mānāpamānābhyāmātmānaṃ tu pramādataḥ || 73 ||

Translation

Aus Unachtsamkeit lässt man sowohl sein Wissen als auch das eigene Selbst von Ehre und Schande hin- und herziehen.

Word by Word

• vidyām: knowledge
• vidyām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• māna-apamānābhyām: by honor and dishonor
• māna-apamānābhyām: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māna (प्रातिपदिक) + apamāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Dual (द्विवचन); dvandva ‘honor and dishonor’

• ātmānam: oneself
• ātmānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tu: but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Contrast particle (निपात)

• pramādataḥ: from negligence
• pramādataḥ: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pramāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular (एकवचन); adverbial ablative ‘due to/through’

Speaker

Narada (instruction within Moksha-dharma dialogue, traditionally in the Narada–Sanatkumara frame)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

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

It warns that negligence (pramāda) makes a seeker’s knowledge and inner stability dependent on external validation—praise inflates the ego and blame collapses it—thereby obstructing moksha-oriented steadiness.

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

Bhakti matures when one serves and remembers the Lord without seeking honor; this verse cautions that craving recognition (or fearing criticism) diverts devotion into self-display rather than sincere surrender.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse is not a technical Vedanga rule; its practical takeaway is ethical discipline for students of śāstra—guarding vidyā from ego-driven misuse and maintaining composure while studying and teaching.