Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 55

Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy

Transition to Vedānta Inquiry

Devanagari script

काषायपरिवीताश्च जटिला भस्मधूलिताः । शूद्राधर्मान्प्रवक्ष्यंती कूटयुक्तपरायणाः ॥ ५५ ॥

Transliteration

kāṣāyaparivītāśca jaṭilā bhasmadhūlitāḥ | śūdrādharmānpravakṣyaṃtī kūṭayuktaparāyaṇāḥ || 55 ||

Translation

Clad in ochre garments, wearing matted locks, and smeared with ash and dust, they will proclaim doctrines of dharma meant for śūdras—being devoted to deceit and contrivance.

Word by Word

• काषाय-परिवीताः: clad in ochre
• काषाय-परिवीताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काषाय (प्रातिपदिक) + परिवीत (कृदन्त; परि+वे/वी धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative plural; समासः—तत्पुरुष (clad in ochre garments)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक

• जटिलाः: matted-haired
• जटिलाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जटिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative plural; ‘with matted hair’

• भस्म-धूलिताः: covered with ash
• भस्म-धूलिताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भस्म (प्रातिपदिक) + धूलित (कृदन्त; धूलि/धूल् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative plural; समासः—तत्पुरुष (smeared with ash)

• शूद्र-अधर्मान्: Śūdra-adharmas (unrighteous rules)
• शूद्र-अधर्मान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अधर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; Accusative plural; समासः—तत्पुरुष (unrighteous practices of Śūdras / adharmas for Śūdras)

• प्रवक्ष्यन्ति: will proclaim
• प्रवक्ष्यन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र- वच् (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple Future), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; they will proclaim

• कूट-युक्त-परायणाः: devoted to deceitful schemes
• कूट-युक्त-परायणाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कूट (प्रातिपदिक) + युक्त (कृदन्त; युज् धातु, क्त) + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative plural; समासः—तत्पुरुष (devoted to/intent on deceitful contrivances)

Speaker

Nārada (in a teaching context within the Purāṇic dialogue)

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 external signs of renunciation (ochre cloth, matted hair, ash) can be imitated, and that spiritual authority must be judged by truthfulness and right conduct rather than appearance.

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

By cautioning against deceitful teachers, it indirectly protects bhakti: sincere devotion requires satya (truth), śuddha-ācāra (pure conduct), and guidance aligned with dharma—not performative renunciation.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes discernment in dharma-śāstra application (proper teaching of varṇāśrama-dharma). While not naming a Vedāṅga directly, it relies on correct understanding of śāstra and its appropriate instruction.