Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 4

Yajñamālī–Sumālī Upākhyāna: Merit-Transfer through Temple Plastering (Lepa) and the Redemption of a Sinner

Devanagari script

गीतवाद्यरतो नित्यं मद्यपानरतोऽभवत् । वेश्याविभ्रमलुब्धोऽसौ परदारतोऽभवत् ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

gītavādyarato nityaṃ madyapānarato'bhavat | veśyāvibhramalubdho'sau paradārato'bhavat || 4 ||

Translation

Il s’absorba sans cesse dans le chant et la musique des instruments, et devint esclave de l’ivresse. Pris au piège des charmes et des coquetteries des courtisanes, cet homme s’attacha aussi aux épouses d’autrui.

Word by Word

• गीतवाद्यरतः: one devoted to singing and instruments
• गीतवाद्यरतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गीत (प्रातिपदिक) + वाद्य (प्रातिपदिक) + रत (कृदन्त, √रम् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कृदन्त-भूतकृदन्त/क्त (past participle) ‘रत’ = आसक्तः; समासः: गीत-वाद्ये रतः

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण/adverb)

• मद्यपानरतः: addicted to drinking liquor
• मद्यपानरतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मद्य (प्रातिपदिक) + पान (प्रातिपदिक) + रत (कृदन्त, √रम् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कृदन्त ‘रत’; समासः: मद्यपाने रतः

• अभवत्: became/was
• अभवत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• वेश्याविभ्रमलुब्धः: infatuated with a courtesan’s allure
• वेश्याविभ्रमलुब्धः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेश्या (प्रातिपदिक) + विभ्रम (प्रातिपदिक) + लुब्ध (कृदन्त, √लुभ् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कृदन्त-क्त ‘लुब्ध’ = लोभितः/आसक्तः; समासः: वेश्याया विभ्रमे लुब्धः

• असौ: that man/he
• असौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असद्/अदस् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• परदाररतः: attached to others’ wives
• परदाररतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + दार (प्रातिपदिक) + रत (कृदन्त, √रम् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः: परेषां दारेषु रतः

• अभवत्: became/was
• अभवत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Nārada (narrating a moral decline as part of the teaching context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It highlights how unchecked sense-attachment (to entertainment, intoxication, and illicit sexuality) pulls a person away from dharma, creating a downward spiral that blocks spiritual clarity and right conduct.

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

By contrast, it implies that bhakti requires restraint and purity of habits; addictions and para-dāra involvement agitate the mind, making steady remembrance of the Lord and disciplined devotional life difficult.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is sadācāra (ethical discipline) as a foundation that supports study, mantra-practice, and any Vedic observance.