Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20
गङ्गामाहात्म्य — The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
धर्महीनो यथा मूर्खः परत्रेह च निन्दितः । मातापितृविहीनस्य अज्ञस्याप्यविवेकिनः । अपुत्रस्य वृथा जन्म ऋणग्रस्तस्य चैव हि ॥ २० ॥
dharmahīno yathā mūrkhaḥ paratreha ca ninditaḥ | mātāpitṛvihīnasya ajñasyāpyavivekinaḥ | aputrasya vṛthā janma ṛṇagrastasya caiva hi || 20 ||
Wer ohne Dharma ist, gleicht einem Toren, geschmäht hier und im Jenseits. Ebenso ist es mit dem, der ohne Mutter und Vater ist, unwissend und ohne Unterscheidungskraft. Ebenso ist die Geburt dessen, der keinen Sohn hat, vergeblich; und ebenso das Leben dessen, den Schulden niederdrücken.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It frames dharma as the foundation of human life: without righteous conduct and discernment, a person is reproached in society and accrues suffering beyond death, making life’s purpose fail.
It implies that bhakti must rest on dharma—self-control, responsibility, and viveka—otherwise devotion becomes unstable; a disciplined life supports sustained remembrance and worship of the Lord.
The practical takeaway aligns with dharma-nīti and viveka (discernment): applying right judgment in duties (especially household life), avoiding crippling debt, and living ethically—foundational prerequisites before advanced ritual or scriptural study.