Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 29
The Characteristics of Devotion to Hari
कियदायुर्बालभावाद् वृद्धभावात्कियद् बृथा । कियद्विषयभोगैश्च कदा धर्मान्करिष्यति ॥ २९ ॥
kiyadāyurbālabhāvād vṛddhabhāvātkiyad bṛthā | kiyadviṣayabhogaiśca kadā dharmānkariṣyati || 29 ||
How much of one’s lifespan is lost in childhood, how much in old age, and how much is wasted in vain? And how much is spent in the enjoyment of sense-objects—then when will one ever practice dharma?
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the dialogue on dharma and right living)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It warns that most of life is consumed by incapacity (childhood, old age) and distraction (sense-enjoyment), so one must consciously begin dharma early and consistently to make human birth meaningful.
By stressing the scarcity of truly usable time, it pushes the seeker to prioritize sādhana—dharma, self-restraint, and remembrance—creating the inner fitness in which steady Vishnu-bhakti can mature.
It implies the practical discipline of kāla-viveka (wise use of time) central to dharma: planning daily duties (nitya-karma) and vows (vrata) rather than postponing them—more a dharma-priority teaching than a technical Vedanga lesson.