Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34

Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative

Devanagari script

वर्णाश्रमाचाररता भगवद्भक्तिलालसाः । कामादिदोष्नि र्मुक्तास्ते सन्तो लोकशिक्षकाः ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

varṇāśramācāraratā bhagavadbhaktilālasāḥ | kāmādidoṣni rmuktāste santo lokaśikṣakāḥ || 34 ||

Translation

Wer den Pflichten von Varṇa und Āśrama hingegeben ist, nach Bhakti zum Bhagavān verlangt und von Fehlern wie Begierde befreit ist—der ist ein wahrer Heiliger, ein Lehrer der Welt.

Word by Word

• varṇāśramācāraratāḥ: devoted to the conduct of Varnas and Ashramas
• varṇāśramācāraratāḥ: Visheshana (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: varṇāśramācārarata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा), Plural

• bhagavadbhaktilālasāḥ: eager for devotion to the Lord
• bhagavadbhaktilālasāḥ: Visheshana (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhagavadbhaktilālasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा), Plural

• kāmādidoṣanirmuktāḥ: freed from faults beginning with lust
• kāmādidoṣanirmuktāḥ: Visheshana (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāmādidoṣanirmukta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा), Plural

• te: they
• te: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा), Plural

• santaḥ: saints/good people
• santaḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा), Plural

• lokaśikṣakāḥ: teachers of the world
• lokaśikṣakāḥ: Visheshana (Predicate Noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lokaśikṣaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा), Plural

Speaker

Sanatkumara (to Narada, in the dialogue on the characteristics of the sādhus)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavan (Vishnu)

FAQs

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

It defines a “saint” as one who harmonizes outer dharma (varṇa-āśrama duties) with inner purity (freedom from kāma and other faults) and directs life toward Bhagavān-bhakti, thereby becoming a guide for society.

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

Bhakti is shown as an active longing for Bhagavān that naturally demands purification—overcoming desire and related defects—so devotion becomes steady and capable of uplifting others.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is dharma-application—living varṇa-āśrama ācāra with self-restraint (indriya-nigraha) as a foundation for bhakti.