Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 67
Sṛṣṭi-varṇana, Bhārata-khaṇḍa-mahātmya, and Jagad-bhūgola
Creation, Glory of Bhārata, and World Geography
कर्मभूमिं समासाद्य यो न धर्मं समाचरेत् । स च सर्वाधमः प्रोक्तो वेदविद्भिर्मुनीश्वर ॥ ६७ ॥
karmabhūmiṃ samāsādya yo na dharmaṃ samācaret | sa ca sarvādhamaḥ prokto vedavidbhirmunīśvara || 67 ||
Ô seigneur des sages, celui qui parvient à la karmabhūmi, le domaine de l’action humaine, et pourtant ne pratique pas le dharma, est proclamé par les voyants connaisseurs du Veda comme le plus bas de tous.
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada as munīśvara)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It states that human life—called karmabhūmi—is a rare opportunity meant for practicing dharma; neglecting it is seen as the greatest spiritual failure by Vedic seers.
It frames dharma as the essential foundation for higher pursuits like bhakti; devotion matures on a life disciplined by righteous conduct rather than mere worldly action.
The verse emphasizes the Vedic principle of dharma-anuṣṭhāna (proper performance of duty); while not naming a Vedāṅga, it aligns with Kalpa (ritual/duty frameworks) as the practical application of Vedic injunctions.