Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 2

Gṛhastha-nitya-karman: Śauca, Sandhyā-vidhi, Pañca-yajña, and Āśrama-krama

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मे मुहूर्ते चोत्थाय पुरुषार्थाविरोधिनीम् । वृत्तिं संचिंतयेद्विप्र कृतकेशप्रसाधनः ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

brāhme muhūrte cotthāya puruṣārthāvirodhinīm | vṛttiṃ saṃciṃtayedvipra kṛtakeśaprasādhanaḥ || 2 ||

Translation

S’étant levé au Brahma-muhūrta, ô brāhmane, après avoir nettoyé et arrangé ses cheveux, qu’il médite sur un moyen de subsistance qui ne contredise pas les quatre buts de l’existence (dharma, artha, kāma et mokṣa).

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मे: in the Brahma (early)
• ब्राह्मे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्राह्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; 'ब्राह्मे (मुहूर्ते)' = in the Brahma-muhūrta

• मुहूर्ते: at the muhūrta (time period)
• मुहूर्ते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुहूर्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

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

• उत्थाय: having risen
• उत्थाय: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उत् + स्था (धातु) → उत्थाय (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्यय (absolutive/gerund), अव्यय: 'having risen'

• पुरुषार्थाविरोधिनीम्: not contrary to the goals of life
• पुरुषार्थाविरोधिनीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुरुष + अर्थ + अविरोधिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: पुरुषार्थस्य अविरोधिनी (not opposed to the aims of man)

• वृत्तिम्: conduct/means of livelihood
• वृत्तिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• संचिन्तयेत्: should reflect/consider
• संचिन्तयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + चिन्त् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; आदेश/विधि

• विप्र: O Brahmin
• विप्र: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कृतकेशप्रसाधनः: having arranged/groomed his hair
• कृतकेशप्रसाधनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत + केश + प्रसाधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: कृतं केशप्रसाधनं येन सः (one whose hair-grooming is done)

Speaker

Narada (in instruction mode, within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework)

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 links sacred time (Brahma-muhūrta) and personal purity with ethical self-governance: one should choose and sustain a livelihood that supports—not undermines—dharma and the ultimate aim of mokṣa.

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

By insisting on a puruṣārtha-consistent livelihood, it protects the devotee’s mind from unrighteous gain and distraction—creating the inner steadiness needed for regular worship, nāma-japa, and Vishnu-bhakti.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kāla-viveka (discernment of auspicious time) is implied through Brahma-muhūrta—often treated under Jyotiṣa-oriented daily timing—along with śauca (purity) as a practical prerequisite for ritual and study.