Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27

Ekādaśī Vrata-Vidhi and the Galava–Bhadrashīla Itihāsa

Dharmakīrti before Yama

Devanagari script

कुण्डाशिनं गायकं च तथा देवलकाशिनम् । भिषजं काव्यकर्त्तारं देवद्विजविरोधिनम् ॥ २७ ॥

Transliteration

kuṇḍāśinaṃ gāyakaṃ ca tathā devalakāśinam | bhiṣajaṃ kāvyakarttāraṃ devadvijavirodhinam || 27 ||

Translation

Il faut éviter celui qui mange d’un kuṇḍa (feu rituel impropre ou non autorisé), le chanteur de métier, celui qui vit du service du temple comme devalaka, le médecin comme gagne-pain (en ce contexte), le faiseur de poésie vénale, et celui qui est hostile aux dieux et aux dvija (les deux-fois-nés).

Word by Word

• कुण्ड-आशिनम्: one who eats from a kuṇḍa (impure vessel)
• कुण्ड-आशिनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + आशिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: ‘कुण्डे आशिनः’ = one who eats from a (forbidden/impure) vessel

• गायकम्: singer
• गायकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गायक (प्रातिपदिक; √गै (धातु) + ण्वुल्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/प्रकारवाचक

• देवलक-आशिनम्: one who eats with/at a devalaka
• देवलक-आशिनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवलक (प्रातिपदिक) + आशिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: ‘देवलके आशिनः’ = one who eats at/with a devalaka (temple-priest/servant)

• भिषजम्: physician
• भिषजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिषज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• काव्य-कर्तारम्: composer of poetry
• काव्य-कर्तारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काव्य (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक; √कृ (धातु))
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: ‘काव्यस्य कर्ता’

• देव-द्विज-विरोधिनम्: opponent of gods and Brahmins
• देव-द्विज-विरोधिनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + द्विज (प्रातिपदिक) + विरोधिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: ‘देवद्विजयोः विरोधी’ = hostile to gods and Brahmins; कर्मविशेषण (qualifier of the listed persons)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada within the dharma-teaching dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It teaches śuddhi (purity) through careful association: spiritual practice is weakened by dependence on impure rites, mercenary arts, and especially by hostility to devas and dvijas—attitudes that undermine dharma and devotion.

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

Bhakti is protected by sat-saṅga and dharmic alignment; the verse warns against influences that distract the mind, commercialize sacred acts, or foster contempt for sacred order—each of which obstructs steady devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It indirectly emphasizes Kalpa (proper ritual procedure) and Sadācāra: a “kuṇḍāśin” implies deviation from authorized ritual norms, showing that correct ritual conduct and purity of means matter in Vedic life.