Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 64
Dhvaja-Dhāraṇa Mahātmyam: Sumati–Satyamatī, Humility, and Deliverance by Hari’s Messengers
विष्णदूता ऊचुः । अहो कष्टं धर्मदृशामधर्मः स्पृशते सभाम् । सम्यग्विवेकशून्यानां निदानं ह्यापदां महत् ॥ ६४ ॥
viṣṇadūtā ūcuḥ | aho kaṣṭaṃ dharmadṛśāmadharmaḥ spṛśate sabhām | samyagvivekaśūnyānāṃ nidānaṃ hyāpadāṃ mahat || 64 ||
The messengers of Viṣṇu said: “Alas, how grievous! In the very assembly of those who claim to see and uphold dharma, adharma has gained entry. Indeed, for those devoid of right discernment, this becomes a great cause of calamity.”
Vishnudutas (messengers of Vishnu)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It warns that even places meant to uphold dharma can be corrupted when true discernment (viveka) is absent, and it implies that divine order opposes such adharma.
By placing Viṣṇu’s messengers as defenders of dharma, it reflects the Purāṇic theme that sincere devotion aligns one with divine protection and the restoration of righteous order.
The practical takeaway is viveka in dharma-vicāra (ethical adjudication): applying clear judgment and proper reasoning—akin to the disciplined analysis valued in śāstra study—so that decisions do not become a source of social calamity.