Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 61
Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy
Transition to Vedānta Inquiry
अल्पद्रव्या वृथालिंगा वृथाहंकारदूषिताः । हर्तारं परवित्तानां भवितारो नराधमाः ॥ ६१ ॥
alpadravyā vṛthāliṃgā vṛthāhaṃkāradūṣitāḥ | hartāraṃ paravittānāṃ bhavitāro narādhamāḥ || 61 ||
Those of scant means, who wear outward marks in vain and are stained by hollow pride—such lowest of men become thieves, stealing the wealth of others.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It condemns hollow religiosity—external signs without inner discipline—showing that ego and hypocrisy degrade a person into adharma, even to the point of stealing.
It implies that genuine bhakti requires humility and integrity; mere sectarian marks or showy identity without character is ‘vṛthā’ (fruitless) and leads away from righteous living.
Not a technical Vedanga lesson; the practical takeaway is dharma-nīti: inner self-control and truthfulness must accompany any outward religious practice or ritual identity.