Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17
Gaṅgā-māhātmya: Bāhu’s Envy, Defeat, Forest Exile, and Aurva’s Dharmic Consolation
असूयाविष्टमनसि यदि संपत्प्रवर्त्तते । तुषाग्निं वायुसंयोगमिव जानीहि सुव्रत ॥ १७ ॥
asūyāviṣṭamanasi yadi saṃpatpravarttate | tuṣāgniṃ vāyusaṃyogamiva jānīhi suvrata || 17 ||
Ô toi aux vœux purs, si la prospérité naît dans un esprit possédé par l’envie, sache-le : c’est comme un feu caché dans la paille qui, au contact du vent, s’embrase vite et mène à la ruine.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It warns that success in an envy-driven mind is unstable and dangerous—like concealed fire that can suddenly blaze—so inner purification must accompany outer prosperity.
Bhakti requires a heart free from asūyā (fault-finding). Envy burns devotion from within; therefore the verse implies cultivating humility and goodwill so devotion and prosperity do not become causes of spiritual fall.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught here; the practical takeaway is dharmic self-discipline—guarding the mind against asūyā so one’s actions and gains remain sattvic and non-destructive.