Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12
Varṇāśrama-ācāra: Common Virtues, Varṇa Duties, and the Four Āśramas
कर्मणा मनसा वाचा यत्नाद्धर्म्मं समाचरेत् । अस्वर्ग्यं लोकविद्विष्टं धर्म्यमप्याचरेन्नतु ॥ १२ ॥
karmaṇā manasā vācā yatnāddharmmaṃ samācaret | asvargyaṃ lokavidviṣṭaṃ dharmyamapyācarennatu || 12 ||
Mit Tat, Geist und Wort soll man sich eifrig im Dharma üben. Doch soll man selbst das, was ‘recht’ zu sein scheint, nicht tun, wenn es nicht zum Himmel führt und von der Welt verabscheut wird (weil es die sittliche Ordnung verletzt).
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: vira (heroic)
FAQs
It defines dharma as an integrated discipline of deed, thought, and speech, and warns that apparent ‘piety’ is not true dharma if it yields no spiritual merit and breaks the moral order recognized by the wise and society.
Bhakti rests on purity of mind, speech, and action; this verse supports devotional life by insisting that one’s conduct must be genuinely dharmic—avoiding hypocritical or disruptive practices that undermine inner sincerity and social harmony.
It emphasizes śīla/sadācāra (right conduct) and disciplined use of vāk (speech), aligning with the practical spirit of Vyākaraṇa and Śikṣā—using correct, restrained language and intentional action as supports for dharma.