Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 37
Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy
Transition to Vedānta Inquiry
राजनो द्रव्यनिरतास्तथा ह्यन्यायवर्त्तिनः । पीडयंति प्रजाश्चैव करैरत्यर्थयोजितैः ॥ ३७ ॥
rājano dravyaniratāstathā hyanyāyavarttinaḥ | pīḍayaṃti prajāścaiva karairatyarthayojitaiḥ || 37 ||
Les rois, absorbés par la richesse et suivant la voie de l’injustice, opprimeront leurs sujets en leur imposant des taxes d’un poids excessif.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada on dharma and the signs of adharma in rulers)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It frames oppressive taxation and greed-driven rule as adharma: when rulers abandon justice for wealth, they generate collective suffering and negative karmic consequences for society and themselves.
By condemning greed and injustice, it indirectly supports bhakti’s ethical foundation—self-restraint, compassion, and protection of others—without which devotion becomes hollow ritual rather than lived dharma.
It chiefly reflects dharmaśāstric application (rajadharma) rather than a specific Vedanga; the practical takeaway is normative governance—taxation must be proportionate and welfare-oriented, not exploitative.