Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 48

The Exposition of Spiritual Knowledge

Jñāna-pradarśanam

Devanagari script

अनाचारपरान्दृष्ट्वा नोपेक्षां कुरु शक्तितः । पूजयस्वातिथिं नित्यं स्वकुटुम्बाविरोधतः ॥ ४८ ॥

Transliteration

anācāraparāndṛṣṭvā nopekṣāṃ kuru śaktitaḥ | pūjayasvātithiṃ nityaṃ svakuṭumbāvirodhataḥ || 48 ||

Translation

Voyant des êtres portés vers une conduite indigne, ne les néglige pas ; aide-les selon ta capacité. Et honore toujours l’hôte, mais fais-le de telle sorte qu’aucun conflit ne surgisse au sein de ta propre famille.

Word by Word

• अनाचार-परान्: those devoted to improper conduct
• अनाचार-परान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनाचार (प्रातिपदिक) + पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन; विशेषण (those devoted to bad conduct)

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having seen)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negative particle)

• उपेक्षाम्: neglect/indifference
• उपेक्षाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपेक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कुरु: do
• कुरु: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (imperative), मध्यम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• शक्तितः: as far as you are able
• शक्तितः: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb): 'according to ability'

• पूजयस्व: worship/honor
• पूजयस्व: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (imperative), मध्यम-पुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• अतिथिम्: guest
• अतिथिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अतिथि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावे प्रयोगः/क्रियाविशेषण (adverb): 'always'

• स्व-कुटुम्ब-अविरोधतः: without conflicting with one’s family
• स्व-कुटुम्ब-अविरोधतः: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + कुटुम्ब (प्रातिपदिक) + अविरोध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (svakuṭumbasya avirodhaḥ) + तः: 'without opposition from one’s family'

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a dharma-instruction context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

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

It teaches balanced dharma: compassionately assisting those who stray from right conduct, while maintaining the sacred duty of hospitality—both performed with discretion and within one’s practical limits.

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

By emphasizing atithi-pūjā and compassionate engagement, it frames everyday service as a devotional discipline—honoring others as part of righteous living that supports a bhakti-oriented, sattvic household.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights sadācāra and gṛhastha-dharma as applied ethics rather than a technical Vedanga; the practical takeaway is measured duty (śaktitaḥ) and proper hospitality conduct (atithi-sevā) in daily life.