Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21

Hari-nāma Mahimā and Caraṇāmṛta: The Redemption of the Hunter Gulika

Uttaṅka Itihāsa

Devanagari script

देवस्वहरणे नित्यं परस्वहरणे तथा । उद्युक्तः सर्वदा विप्र कीनाशानामधीश्वरः ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

devasvaharaṇe nityaṃ parasvaharaṇe tathā | udyuktaḥ sarvadā vipra kīnāśānāmadhīśvaraḥ || 21 ||

Translation

हे ब्राह्मण! वह किसानों का स्वामी देवताओं के धन को हड़पने में और दूसरों के धन को भी छीन लेने में सदा लगा रहता था—हर समय इसी में उद्युक्त॥

Word by Word

• देवस्वहरणे: in stealing divine property
• देवस्वहरणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवस्व + हरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: देवस्य स्वम् (देवस्व) + हरण (तत्पुरुष; 'stealing temple/Deity property'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Neuter, Locative, Singular

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण प्रयुक्तम् (adverbial accusative)

• परस्वहरणे: in stealing others’ property
• परस्वहरणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परस्व + हरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: परस्य स्वम् (परस्व) + हरण (तत्पुरुष; 'stealing others’ property'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Neuter, Locative, Singular

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb)

• उद्युक्तः: engaged; intent
• उद्युक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्-√युज् (धातु) → उद्युक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सर्वदा: at all times
• सर्वदा: Kala-adhikarana (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• विप्र: O Brahmin
• विप्र: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• कीनाशानाम्: of farmers; of ploughmen
• कीनाशानाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कीनाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• अधीश्वरः: overlord; chief
• अधीश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधीश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: raudra

FAQs

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

It warns that misappropriating devasva (property dedicated to the gods) and parasva (others’ property) is a persistent form of adharma that generates pāpa and obstructs spiritual progress.

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

Bhakti is not only worship but also integrity: one cannot claim devotion while habitually taking what is meant for the deity or for others; purity of conduct safeguards devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It aligns with Dharmaśāstra-style ethical application rather than a technical Vedāṅga; the practical takeaway is disciplined conduct (ācāra) regarding offerings, dues, and rightful ownership.