Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 31
Nārada Instructs Dakṣa’s Sons; Allegory of the World; Dakṣa Curses Nārada
भ्रातृणां प्रायणं भ्राता योऽनुतिष्ठति धर्मवित् । स पुण्यबन्धु: पुरुषो मरुद्भि: सह मोदते ॥ ३१ ॥
bhrātṝṇāṁ prāyaṇaṁ bhrātā yo ’nutiṣṭhati dharmavit sa puṇya-bandhuḥ puruṣo marudbhiḥ saha modate
El hermano que conoce los principios del dharma sigue las huellas de sus hermanos mayores. Por su elevada piedad, tal hermano virtuoso obtiene la dicha de asociarse y regocijarse con deidades como los Maruts, llenas de afecto fraternal.
According to their belief in various material relationships, people are promoted to various planets. Here it is said that one who is very faithful to his brothers should follow a path similar to theirs and get the opportunity for promotion to Marudloka. Nārada Muni advised Prajāpati Dakṣa’s second group of sons to follow their elder brothers and be promoted to the spiritual world.
FAQs
This verse praises the dharma-vetā (knower of duty) who performs the departed brothers’ final rites, calling him a puṇya-bandhu (truly pious relative) and describing him as attaining joyful, elevated association.
Narada instructs Daksha’s sons on dharma and the consequences of actions; here he highlights responsible family duty—properly honoring the departed—as a mark of righteousness.
Take responsibility for family obligations with integrity—especially honoring elders and the departed through respectful remembrance and appropriate rites—while acting as a dharma-guided caretaker rather than neglecting duty.