Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27

Gṛhastha-praveśa: Vivāha-bheda, Ācāra-śauca, Śrāddha-kāla, and Vaiṣṇava-lakṣaṇa

Devanagari script

चतुष्पथं चैत्यवृक्षं र्देवखातं नृपं तथा । असूयां मत्सरत्वं च दिवास्वापं च वर्जयेत् ॥ २७ ॥

Transliteration

catuṣpathaṃ caityavṛkṣaṃ rdevakhātaṃ nṛpaṃ tathā | asūyāṃ matsaratvaṃ ca divāsvāpaṃ ca varjayet || 27 ||

Translation

Man soll unziemliches Verhalten an einer Kreuzung, bei einem Schreinbaum (caitya-vṛkṣa), an einem heiligen Tempelteich (deva-khāta) und ebenso in Gegenwart eines Königs meiden. Ebenso meide man Fehlersuche, Neid und den Schlaf am Tage.

Word by Word

• catuṣpatham: crossroads (four-way junction)
• catuṣpatham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: catuṣ + patha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (चतुष्णां पथानां समाहारः)

• caitya-vṛkṣam: sacred/caitya tree
• caitya-vṛkṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caitya + vṛkṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (चैत्यस्य/चैत्यसम्बन्धी वृक्षः)

• deva-khātam: a sacred dug place (deva-dug pit/pond)
• deva-khātam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva + khāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (देवेन/देवैः खातम्; ‘dug by/for gods’—traditional sacred pit/pond)

• nṛpam: king
• nṛpam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• tathā: also
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/प्रकारार्थक-अव्यय (also/likewise)

• asūyām: envy / fault-finding
• asūyām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asūyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• matsaratvam: jealousy / spitefulness
• matsaratvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: matsara + -tva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; भाववाचक-तद्धित (abstract noun)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• divā-svāpaṃ: daytime sleep
• divā-svāpaṃ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: divā + svāpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (दिवायां स्वापः)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• varjayet: should avoid
• varjayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vṛj (धातु; varj-)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within the didactic dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It teaches sadāchāra (ethical restraint): reverence for sacred spaces and authority, and inner purification by abandoning asūyā (fault-finding) and matsara (envy), which obstruct merit (puṇya) and spiritual progress.

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

Bhakti is supported by humility and purity of heart; avoiding envy and spite prevents offenses (aparādha) and keeps the mind fit for remembrance and worship, especially around holy trees, shrines, and temple waters.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It aligns with dharma-śāstra style conduct-rules used in ritual life: maintaining śauca (cleanliness) and appropriate behavior in sacred/royal contexts; it is more about niyama (discipline) than a technical Vedāṅga like Jyotiṣa or Vyākaraṇa.