Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38

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

Uttaṅka Itihāsa

Devanagari script

मृगमीनसज्जनानां तृणजलसंतोषविहितवृत्तानाम् । लुब्धकधीवरपिशुना निष्कारणवैरिणो जगति ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

mṛgamīnasajjanānāṃ tṛṇajalasaṃtoṣavihitavṛttānām | lubdhakadhīvarapiśunā niṣkāraṇavairiṇo jagati || 38 ||

Translation

In this world, deer, fish, and good people—whose conduct is shaped by contentment with mere grass and water—have enemies for no reason at all: the hunter, the fisherman, and the slanderer.

Word by Word

• मृगमीनसज्जनानाम्: of deer, fish, and good people
• मृगमीनसज्जनानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृग + मीन + सज्जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास (मृगाश्च मीनाश्च सज्जनाश्च); पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

• तृणजलसन्तोषविहितवृत्तानाम्: whose livelihood is arranged by contentment with grass and water
• तृणजलसन्तोषविहितवृत्तानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तृण + जल + सन्तोष + विहित + वृत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमास (तृण-जल-सन्तोषेन विहितं वृत्तं येषाम्); पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• लुब्धकधीवरपिशुनाः: hunters, fishermen, and slanderers
• लुब्धकधीवरपिशुनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लुब्धक + धीवर + पिशुन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास (लुब्धकाश्च धीवराश्च पिशुनाश्च); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), बहुवचन

• निष्कारणवैरिणः: causeless enemies
• निष्कारणवैरिणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निष्-कारण + वैरिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (निष्कारणं वैरं येषाम्/निष्कारणवैरिणः); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• जगति: in the world
• जगति: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (in instruction to the Sanatkumara brothers)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

FAQs

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

It highlights a Dharma principle: the innocent and contented may still face hostility without cause, so one should cultivate vigilance, compassion, and steadiness rather than bitterness.

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

Bhakti values simplicity and contentment, yet this verse warns that envy and malice can oppose such purity; devotees should avoid slander, seek sādhusaṅga, and remain fixed in righteous conduct.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught here; the practical takeaway is ethical discipline—especially restraint of harmful speech (avoiding piśunatā/slander).