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Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54

Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline

स्वेदमूत्रपुरीषाणि श्लेष्मा पित्त सशोणितम् । त्वन्तः क्षरति सर्वेषां कस्माद्वर्णो विभज्यते ॥ ५४ ॥

svedamūtrapurīṣāṇi śleṣmā pitta saśoṇitam | tvantaḥ kṣarati sarveṣāṃ kasmādvarṇo vibhajyate || 54 ||

വിയർപ്പ്, മൂത്രം, മല; ശ്ലേഷ്മം, പിത്തം, രക്തവും—ഇവ എല്ലാം എല്ലാവരുടെയും ത്വക്കിനുള്ളിൽ നിന്നുതന്നെ സ്രവിക്കുന്നു. അപ്പോൾ ‘വർണ്ണ’ഭേദം ഏത് അടിസ്ഥാനത്തിൽ?

स्वेदमूत्रपुरीषाणिsweat, urine, and feces
स्वेदमूत्रपुरीषाणि:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootस्वेद + मूत्र + पुरीष (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (plural); इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (sweat, urine, feces)
श्लेष्माphlegm
श्लेष्मा:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootश्लेष्मन्/श्लेष्मा (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)
पित्तम्bile
पित्तम्:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootपित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)
सशोणितम्together with blood
सशोणितम्:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootस (अव्यय-उपसर्गार्थ) + शोणित (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular); सहार्थक-तत्पुरुष (with blood)
तुbut/indeed
तु:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतु (अव्यय)
Formविरोध/पुनरुक्त्यर्थक निपात (particle: 'but/indeed')
अन्तःwithin
अन्तः:
Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देश-अधिकरण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअन्तः (अव्यय)
Formअव्यय, देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of place: 'within/inside')
क्षरतिflows/oozes
क्षरति:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootक्षर् (धातु)
Formलट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular)
सर्वेषाम्of all (people)
सर्वेषाम्:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeNoun
Rootसर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (masc/neut), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (plural)
कस्मात्from what cause?/why?
कस्मात्:
Hetu (हेतु)
TypeNoun
Rootकिम् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (masc/neut), पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन (singular); प्रश्नार्थ (interrogative)
वर्णःvarna/class
वर्णः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootवर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)
विभज्यतेis divided/apportioned
विभज्यते:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootवि-√भज् (धातु)
Formलट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular); कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive: 'is apportioned/divided')

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata: none

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

FAQs

It undermines pride based on birth by pointing out that all bodies share the same impure constituents; the verse redirects attention from bodily identity to the pursuit of mokṣa through right understanding.

By reducing attachment to bodily and social identities, it prepares the mind for single-pointed devotion—seeing all beings as equal before the Lord and valuing inner purity over external status.

No specific Vedāṅga is taught directly; the practical takeaway is dharma-viveka—using discernment to separate social convention from spiritual truth, which supports disciplined conduct and sādhana.