Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34

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

Devanagari script

असच्छास्त्र्रार्थमननं खादनं नखकेशयोः । तथैव नग्नशयनं सर्वदा परिवर्जयेत् ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

asacchāstrrārthamananaṃ khādanaṃ nakhakeśayoḥ | tathaiva nagnaśayanaṃ sarvadā parivarjayet || 34 ||

Translation

Man soll stets vermeiden, über die Bedeutungen falscher Schriften nachzusinnen, Nägel und Haare zu kauen; ebenso soll man nicht nackt schlafen.

Word by Word

• असत्-शास्त्र-अर्थ-मननम्: reflection on the meaning of false/impure scriptures
• असत्-शास्त्र-अर्थ-मननम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असत् (प्रातिपदिक) + शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + मनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (असतः शास्त्रस्य अर्थस्य मननम्)

• खादनम्: eating/biting
• खादनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खाद् (धातु) → खादन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कृदन्त-भाववाचक (action-noun)

• नख-केशयोः: of the nails and hair
• नख-केशयोः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नख (प्रातिपदिक) + केश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास; पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case), द्विवचन (dual)

• तथा: thus/likewise
• तथा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of manner)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Sambandha/Emphasis (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चय/अवधारणार्थक (emphatic particle)

• नग्न-शयनम्: sleeping naked
• नग्न-शयनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नग्न (प्रातिपदिक) + शयन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (नग्नं शयनम्)

• सर्वदा: always
• सर्वदा: Kāla-adhikarana (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of time)

• परिवर्जयेत्: should avoid
• परिवर्जयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि√वृज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

Narada (teaching in the context of sadācāra; dialogue tradition with Sanatkumāra lineage in Book 1.1)

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 links outer discipline to inner purity: avoiding misleading teachings (asat-śāstra) protects the mind, while avoiding degrading habits preserves sattva and supports dharmic living.

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

Bhakti requires a mind oriented toward true śāstra and a life of restraint; rejecting false doctrines and undisciplined habits helps keep the devotee’s attention steady for remembrance of Bhagavān.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It emphasizes śāstra-viveka (discernment in textual study)—a practical application aligned with Vyākaraṇa/Nyāya-style clarity and correct understanding, warning against contemplating misleading or improper treatises.