Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34
Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy
Transition to Vedānta Inquiry
विद्याग्रहणशून्यत्वादधर्मो वर्तते पुनः । युत्क्रमेण प्रजाः सर्वा म्रियंते पापतत्पराः ॥ ३४ ॥
vidyāgrahaṇaśūnyatvādadharmo vartate punaḥ | yutkrameṇa prajāḥ sarvā mriyaṃte pāpatatparāḥ || 34 ||
Faute de recevoir et de cultiver la vraie connaissance, l’adharma se relève de nouveau ; et, selon l’ordre du temps, tous les êtres périssent—tournés vers le péché.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a didactic dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It teaches that the root of spiritual and social collapse is the absence of vidyā—when sacred learning is not received and practiced, adharma naturally dominates and beings suffer inevitable downfall.
By warning against ignorance and sinfulness, it indirectly supports bhakti: devotion thrives when one accepts right knowledge and discipline; without that grounding, the mind turns to pāpa and loses the capacity for steady devotion.
The verse emphasizes the necessity of vidyā-grahaṇa (systematic learning). Practically, this points to sustaining Vedāṅga-based study—especially Śikṣā (proper recitation) and Vyākaraṇa (clarity of meaning)—so dharma is understood and lived.