Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 28

Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa

Devanagari script

ब्रह्महत्याव्रतं सम्यक्तच्चिह्नपरिवर्जितः । यदि रोगानिवृत्त्यर्थमौषधार्थं सुरां पिबेत् ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

brahmahatyāvrataṃ samyaktaccihnaparivarjitaḥ | yadi rogānivṛttyarthamauṣadhārthaṃ surāṃ pibet || 28 ||

Translation

If a person is properly observing the expiatory vow for brahma-hatyā (the sin of slaying a brāhmaṇa), and avoids all the outward marks and indulgences associated with it, yet drinks liquor only as a medicine for curing disease, then (it is treated) as being for medicinal purpose.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्महत्या-व्रतम्: the brahmahatyā penance
• ब्रह्महत्या-व्रतम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्महत्या + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; accusative singular—‘vow/penance of brahmahatyā’

• सम्यक्: properly
• सम्यक्: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्यक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; manner adverb—‘properly’

• तत्: that
• तत्: Visheshaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; accusative singular—‘that’ (referring to the vow)

• चिह्न-परिवर्जितः: free from the (penitential) marks
• चिह्न-परिवर्जितः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चिह्न + परिवर्जित (प्रातिपदिक; √वर्ज् with परि-, past participle used adjectivally)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; nominative singular masculine—‘devoid of the marks/signs’

• यदि: if
• यदि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Condition marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; शर्तसूचक (conditional conjunction)

• रोग-अनिवृत्ति-अर्थम्: for preventing recurrence of illness
• रोग-अनिवृत्ति-अर्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: रोग + अनिवृत्ति + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमास; अव्ययवत्—‘for the purpose of non-remission of disease’ (i.e., to prevent relapse)

• औषध-अर्थम्: for medicinal use
• औषध-अर्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: औषध + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमास; अव्ययवत्—‘for medicinal purpose’

• सुराम्: liquor
• सुराम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुरा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; accusative singular

• पिबेत्: should drink
• पिबेत्: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; 3rd person singular—‘should drink’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada on Dharma and expiation)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: brahmahatyā-vrata

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Secondary Rasa: karuna (compassion)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmahatya

FAQs

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

It clarifies Dharma’s principle of intention and necessity: even during strict expiation, an otherwise prohibited substance may be allowed when taken purely as medicine to remove disease, without indulgence.

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

By emphasizing disciplined purity and restraint, it supports Bhakti indirectly: devotion is protected by ethical conduct and careful vow-keeping, avoiding pleasure-seeking while allowing genuine healing needs.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual law) and Dharmashastra-style reasoning are implied: rules of vows include exceptions based on purpose (auṣadha) and strict avoidance of prohibited ‘marks’ or indulgent behavior.