Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 69

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

Devanagari script

ये द्विजा अभिभाषंते त्यक्तसंध्यादिकर्मणः । ते यांति नरकान्घोरान्यावच्चंद्रार्कतारकम् ॥ ६९ ॥

Transliteration

ye dvijā abhibhāṣaṃte tyaktasaṃdhyādikarmaṇaḥ | te yāṃti narakānghorānyāvaccaṃdrārkatārakam || 69 ||

Translation

Jene Dvija (Zweimalgeborenen), die, nachdem sie Sandhyā und andere vorgeschriebene tägliche Riten aufgegeben haben, dennoch mit Autorität sprechen, gelangen in furchtbare Höllen, solange Mond, Sonne und Sterne bestehen.

Word by Word

• ये: who (those who)
• ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक-सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• द्विजाः: twice-born (Brahmins etc.)
• द्विजाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• अभिभाषन्ते: speak/declare
• अभिभाषन्ते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-भाष् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; क्रिया

• त्यक्त-संध्या-आदि-कर्मणः: having abandoned the sandhyā and other rites
• त्यक्त-संध्या-आदि-कर्मणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्यक्त (कृदन्त; त्यज् धातु) + संध्या (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; ‘त्यक्त’ = क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (‘संध्यादिकर्माणि त्यक्तानि येषाम्/ये’)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; संकेत-सर्वनाम

• यान्ति: go
• यान्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन

• नरकान्: to hells
• नरकान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नरक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• घोरान्: terrible
• घोरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying ‘नरकान्’)

• यावत्: until
• यावत्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यावत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; काल-परिमाणवाचक (until/as long as)

• चन्द्र-अर्क-तारकम्: the moon, sun, and stars (i.e., as long as they last)
• चन्द्र-अर्क-तारकम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/काल-सीमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्क (प्रातिपदिक) + तारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्वः (चन्द्रश्च अर्कश्च तारकाणि च)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a dharma-instruction context; dialogue tradition primarily with Sanatkumara lineage)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka (fear)

Secondary Rasa: karuna (compassion)

FAQs

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

It asserts that spiritual authority and right conduct are inseparable: one who abandons nitya-karmas like Sandhyā-vandana yet continues to speak as a guide incurs severe karmic consequences, emphasizing disciplined daily practice as the foundation of dharma.

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

By implication, it teaches that devotion is not mere speech or instruction; bhakti is supported by faithful daily discipline (nitya-sevā through Sandhyā and related rites). Neglect of foundational duties undermines genuine devotional life.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual discipline (Kalpa) is foregrounded—specifically the obligation of Sandhyā-vandana and other nitya-karmas—showing that correct performance of prescribed rites is a core component of Vedic practice.