Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 37
Varṇāśrama Saṁskāras, Upanayana Windows, Brahmacārin Ācāra, and Anadhyāya Prohibitions
स्तेनं च कितवं चैव कदाचिन्नाभिवादयेत् । पाषण्डं पतितं व्रात्यं तथा नक्षत्रजीविनम् ॥ ३७ ॥
stenaṃ ca kitavaṃ caiva kadācinnābhivādayet | pāṣaṇḍaṃ patitaṃ vrātyaṃ tathā nakṣatrajīvinam || 37 ||
One should never offer respectful salutations to a thief or a cheat; nor to a pāṣaṇḍa (heretic), a fallen person, a vrātya who has strayed from Vedic discipline, or one who makes his living by the stars—astrology as livelihood.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada on dharma and proper conduct)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: raudra (anger)
FAQs
It teaches discernment in honoring others: respect should reinforce dharma, not validate theft, deceit, or a life opposed to Vedic discipline; one’s gestures (like salutation) shape one’s associations and inner purity.
Bhakti is strengthened by sāttvika association and ethical living; avoiding public honor toward adharmic persons supports purity (śauca) and steady devotion, preventing the devotee from normalizing misconduct.
It indirectly references Jyotiṣa (a Vedāṅga) by warning against treating astrology as mere livelihood-driven trade; the takeaway is that Vedic sciences must be practiced with dharmic intent, not as exploitative profession.