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

Dem Fastengelübde ergeben und auf dharmische Pflichten ausgerichtet, soll er niemals, zu keiner Zeit, auch nur die Cāṇḍālas und die vom rechten Wandel Abgefallenen ansehen.

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.