Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 2

Gṛhastha-nitya-karman: Śauca, Sandhyā-vidhi, Pañca-yajña, and Āśrama-krama

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मे मुहूर्ते चोत्थाय पुरुषार्थाविरोधिनीम् । वृत्तिं संचिंतयेद्विप्र कृतकेशप्रसाधनः ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

brāhme muhūrte cotthāya puruṣārthāvirodhinīm | vṛttiṃ saṃciṃtayedvipra kṛtakeśaprasādhanaḥ || 2 ||

Translation

Im Brahma-muhūrta stehe auf, o Brāhmaṇa; nachdem du dein Haar gereinigt und geordnet hast, bedenke eine Lebensweise des Erwerbs, die den vier Lebenszielen (dharma, artha, kāma und mokṣa) nicht widerspricht.

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मे: in the Brahma (early)
• ब्राह्मे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्राह्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; 'ब्राह्मे (मुहूर्ते)' = in the Brahma-muhūrta

• मुहूर्ते: at the muhūrta (time period)
• मुहूर्ते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुहूर्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

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

• उत्थाय: having risen
• उत्थाय: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उत् + स्था (धातु) → उत्थाय (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्यय (absolutive/gerund), अव्यय: 'having risen'

• पुरुषार्थाविरोधिनीम्: not contrary to the goals of life
• पुरुषार्थाविरोधिनीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुरुष + अर्थ + अविरोधिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: पुरुषार्थस्य अविरोधिनी (not opposed to the aims of man)

• वृत्तिम्: conduct/means of livelihood
• वृत्तिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• संचिन्तयेत्: should reflect/consider
• संचिन्तयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + चिन्त् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; आदेश/विधि

• विप्र: O Brahmin
• विप्र: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कृतकेशप्रसाधनः: having arranged/groomed his hair
• कृतकेशप्रसाधनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत + केश + प्रसाधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: कृतं केशप्रसाधनं येन सः (one whose hair-grooming is done)

Speaker

Narada (in instruction mode, within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It links sacred time (Brahma-muhūrta) and personal purity with ethical self-governance: one should choose and sustain a livelihood that supports—not undermines—dharma and the ultimate aim of mokṣa.

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

By insisting on a puruṣārtha-consistent livelihood, it protects the devotee’s mind from unrighteous gain and distraction—creating the inner steadiness needed for regular worship, nāma-japa, and Vishnu-bhakti.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kāla-viveka (discernment of auspicious time) is implied through Brahma-muhūrta—often treated under Jyotiṣa-oriented daily timing—along with śauca (purity) as a practical prerequisite for ritual and study.