Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21

Hari-nāma Mahimā and Caraṇāmṛta: The Redemption of the Hunter Gulika

Uttaṅka Itihāsa

Devanagari script

देवस्वहरणे नित्यं परस्वहरणे तथा । उद्युक्तः सर्वदा विप्र कीनाशानामधीश्वरः ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

devasvaharaṇe nityaṃ parasvaharaṇe tathā | udyuktaḥ sarvadā vipra kīnāśānāmadhīśvaraḥ || 21 ||

Translation

O brāhmaṇa, the lord of the farmers is ever intent on seizing what belongs to the gods, and likewise on taking what belongs to others—always engaged in such appropriation.

Word by Word

• देवस्वहरणे: in stealing divine property
• देवस्वहरणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवस्व + हरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: देवस्य स्वम् (देवस्व) + हरण (तत्पुरुष; 'stealing temple/Deity property'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Neuter, Locative, Singular

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण प्रयुक्तम् (adverbial accusative)

• परस्वहरणे: in stealing others’ property
• परस्वहरणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परस्व + हरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: परस्य स्वम् (परस्व) + हरण (तत्पुरुष; 'stealing others’ property'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Neuter, Locative, Singular

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb)

• उद्युक्तः: engaged; intent
• उद्युक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्-√युज् (धातु) → उद्युक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सर्वदा: at all times
• सर्वदा: Kala-adhikarana (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• विप्र: O Brahmin
• विप्र: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• कीनाशानाम्: of farmers; of ploughmen
• कीनाशानाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कीनाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• अधीश्वरः: overlord; chief
• अधीश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधीश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: raudra

FAQs

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

It warns that misappropriating devasva (property dedicated to the gods) and parasva (others’ property) is a persistent form of adharma that generates pāpa and obstructs spiritual progress.

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

Bhakti is not only worship but also integrity: one cannot claim devotion while habitually taking what is meant for the deity or for others; purity of conduct safeguards devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It aligns with Dharmaśāstra-style ethical application rather than a technical Vedāṅga; the practical takeaway is disciplined conduct (ācāra) regarding offerings, dues, and rightful ownership.