Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 59

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

Devanagari script

र्हिसानृतपरा लुब्धाः सर्वकर्मोपजीविनः । कृष्णाः शौचपारिभ्राष्टास्ते द्विजाः शूद्रतां गताः ॥ ५९ ॥

Transliteration

rhisānṛtaparā lubdhāḥ sarvakarmopajīvinaḥ | kṛṣṇāḥ śaucapāribhrāṣṭāste dvijāḥ śūdratāṃ gatāḥ || 59 ||

Translation

ഹിംസയിലും അസത്യത്തിലും പരായണരായി, ലാഭലോലരായി, ഏതു ജോലിയിലും ഉപജീവിക്കുന്നവരായി, ആചാരത്തിൽ മലിനരായി, ശൗചത്തിൽ നിന്ന് വീണുപോയ ദ്വിജർ ശൂദ്രസ്ഥാനത്തിലേക്ക് പതിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• हिंसा: violence
• हिंसा: समासाङ्ग (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हिंसा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रातिपदिक-रूप (as compound member)

• अनृत: falsehood
• अनृत: समासाङ्ग (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रातिपदिक-रूप (as compound member)

• पराः: devoted to
• पराः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• हिंसानृतपराः: devoted to violence and untruth
• हिंसानृतपराः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हिंसा + अनृत + पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (Determinative: ‘devoted to violence and falsehood’); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• लुब्धाः: greedy
• लुब्धाः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लुब्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• सर्वकर्म: all work (any occupation)
• सर्वकर्म: समासाङ्ग (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (‘all kinds of work’); समासाङ्ग (compound member)

• उपजीविनः: those who subsist by
• उपजीविनः: विशेषणार्थ-नाम (Predicative descriptor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपजीविन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• सर्वकर्मोपजीविनः: living by any kind of work
• सर्वकर्मोपजीविनः: विशेषणार्थ-नाम (Predicative descriptor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्वकर्म (समास) + उपजीविन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (Determinative: ‘living by all sorts of work’); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• कृष्णाः: dark/black
• कृष्णाः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• शौच: purity, cleanliness
• शौच: समासाङ्ग (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक-रूप (as compound member)

• पारिभ्राष्टाः: fallen away, deviated
• पारिभ्राष्टाः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परि-भ्रंश् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past participle, क्त) from परि+भ्रंश्; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• शौचपारिभ्राष्टाः: deviated from cleanliness/purity
• शौचपारिभ्राष्टाः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शौच (प्रातिपदिक) + पारिभ्राष्ट (कृदन्त; √भ्रंश्)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (Determinative: ‘fallen from purity’); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• ते: they
• ते: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• द्विजाः: twice-born
• द्विजाः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• शूद्रताम्: Shudra-hood
• शूद्रताम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्रता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• गताः: have become
• गताः: क्रिया (Result state/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past participle, क्त) used predicatively; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that spiritual identity is upheld by ācāra (right conduct): when a dvija abandons truth, non-violence, and purity, the inner qualification for higher dharma collapses, leading to a fall in spiritual standing.

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

Bhakti rests on sattvic living—truthfulness, compassion, and śauca. By warning against violence, deceit, and greed, the verse underscores the ethical foundation required for steady Vishnu-bhakti and liberation-oriented practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Śauca and ācāra relate directly to Kalpa (ritual discipline and dharma-practice): without purity and regulated livelihood, rites and vows lose efficacy, so practical dharma begins with disciplined conduct.