Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 77
Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy
Transition to Vedānta Inquiry
कंदपर्णफलाहारास्तापंसा इव मानवाः । आत्मानं तारयिष्यंति अनावृष्ट्यातिदुखिताः ॥ ७७ ॥
kaṃdaparṇaphalāhārāstāpaṃsā iva mānavāḥ | ātmānaṃ tārayiṣyaṃti anāvṛṣṭyātidukhitāḥ || 77 ||
Tormented by extreme suffering due to drought, people will sustain and save themselves by living on roots, leaves, and fruits—like ascetics engaged in austerity.
Nārada (describing conditions to the Sanatkumāra tradition in the discourse)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It frames drought as a circumstance that pushes society toward tapas-like restraint, showing that self-control and simplicity can preserve life and dharma even amid collective hardship.
Indirectly, it supports bhakti by emphasizing austerity and reduced dependence on pleasures; such restraint steadies the mind, making devotional remembrance and prayer easier during crisis.
No specific Vedāṅga is taught in this verse; it is primarily a dharmic-practical instruction about diet and conduct during anāvṛṣṭi rather than a technical exposition of śikṣā, vyākaraṇa, or jyotiṣa.