Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25

Ekādaśī Vrata-Vidhi and the Galava–Bhadrashīla Itihāsa

Dharmakīrti before Yama

Devanagari script

नास्तिकान्भिन्नमर्योदान्निन्दकान्पिशुनांस्तथा । उपवास व्रतपरो नालपेच्च कदाचन ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

nāstikānbhinnamaryodānnindakānpiśunāṃstathā | upavāsa vrataparo nālapecca kadācana || 25 ||

Translation

Er soll nicht mit Nāstikas (Gottverneinern), mit Grenzüberschreitern, mit Verleumdern oder böswilligen Denunzianten reden. Dem Fasten und den heiligen Gelübden ergeben, soll er sich niemals in müßiges Gerede verlieren.

Word by Word

• नास्तिकान्: atheists
• नास्तिकान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नास्तिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• भिन्न-मर्यादान्: those who have transgressed propriety
• भिन्न-मर्यादान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिन्न (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √भिद् (धातु)) + मर्यादा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः: ‘भिन्ना मर्यादा येषाम्’ (those whose bounds are broken)

• निन्दकान्: slanderers
• निन्दकान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निन्दक (प्रातिपदिक; √निन्द् (धातु) + क)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• पिशुनान्: backbiters, informers
• पिशुनान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिशुन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• तथा: likewise, also
• तथा: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/प्रकारवाचक (adverb: likewise/also)

• 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; तत्पुरुषः: ‘उपवासव्रते परः’

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध

• आलपेत्: should speak to/address
• आलपेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + √लप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• कदाचन: ever
• कदाचन: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कदाचन (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक

Speaker

Sanatkumāra (teaching Nārada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It teaches saṅga-śuddhi (purifying one’s association) and vāk-saṃyama (discipline of speech): a devotee protects faith and inner purity by avoiding corrupting company and frivolous talk while cultivating fasting and vows.

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

Bhakti is strengthened by guarding the mind from negativity—atheism, boundary-breaking conduct, and slander disturb remembrance of the Lord—whereas vrata and upavāsa steady the senses and support continuous devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Not a technical Vedāṅga lesson, but a practical dhārmic discipline tied to ritual life: vrata/upavāsa observance and regulated speech are foundational supports for mantra-japa, pūjā, and other Vedic practices.