Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 57

Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy

Transition to Vedānta Inquiry

Devanagari script

उत्कोचजीविनस्तत्र भविष्यंति कलौ मुने । धर्मटीनास्तु पाषंडा कापाला भिक्षवोऽधमाः ॥ ५७ ॥

Transliteration

utkocajīvinastatra bhaviṣyaṃti kalau mune | dharmaṭīnāstu pāṣaṃḍā kāpālā bhikṣavo'dhamāḥ || 57 ||

Translation

おお牟尼よ、カリの世には賄賂で生計を立てる者が現れる。また、ダルマの姿を装う異端の偽り者—カパーラ（髑髏鉢）を携える乞食行者や卑しい僧—が出現する。

Word by Word

• उत्कोच-जीविनः: those who live by bribes/corrupt gain

• तत्र: there/in that time

• भविष्यन्ति: will come to be/will exist

• कलौ: in Kali-yuga

• मुने: O sage

• धर्म-टीनाḥ: those who put on/assume the appearance of Dharma (religious disguise)

• तु: but/indeed

• पाषण्डाः: heretics/false religionists

• कापालाः: skull-bearing ascetics (Kapālika-type)

• भिक्षवः: mendicants/monks

• अधमाः: low/base/degenerate.

Speaker

Sanatkumara (addressing Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Kali (Kali-yuga)

FAQs

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

It warns that Kali-yuga is marked by moral inversion—corruption and hypocrisy appear in religious and social life—so discernment (viveka) becomes essential for protecting true Dharma.

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

By contrasting genuine Dharma with outward show, it implies that authentic Bhakti is measured by purity of conduct and sincerity, not by costume, sectarian display, or livelihood based on exploitation.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Primarily Dharmic discernment rather than a technical Vedanga: it teaches ethical evaluation of teachers and mendicants—judging by śīla (character) and satya (truthfulness), not external marks.