Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 43
The Origin of the Gaṅgā and the Gods’ Defeat Caused by Bali
मात्रा हीना जना मातर्मृतप्राया न संशयः । गावो वा पशवो वापि यत्र गावो महीरुहाः ॥ ४३ ॥
mātrā hīnā janā mātarmṛtaprāyā na saṃśayaḥ | gāvo vā paśavo vāpi yatra gāvo mahīruhāḥ || 43 ||
O Mother, people who are deprived of proper measure and proportion are as good as dead—there is no doubt. Whether cows or other cattle, wherever cows are treated as mere beasts of burden, like trees rooted to the earth, life there becomes inert and degraded.
Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara tradition; vocative 'mātar' indicates an addressed Mother-figure within the discourse)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: raudra (anger)
FAQs
It teaches that life becomes spiritually inert when people lose “mātrā”—right measure, restraint, and dharmic proportion—resulting in a condition described as ‘almost dead’ even while living.
Bhakti is sustained by dharmic order and compassion; protecting and honoring life—especially through go-sevā—supports sattva and makes the heart fit for remembrance and worship of the Divine.
The key practical principle is “mātrā” (measure/proportion), a foundational idea aligned with Śikṣā (correct regulation/discipline) and ritual propriety—without proper measure, practice becomes fruitless and life declines.