Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 47
The Origin of the Gaṅgā and the Gods’ Defeat Caused by Bali
धर्मश्च नारायणभक्तिहीनां धनं च सद्भोगविवर्जितं हि । गृहं च मार्यातनयेर्विहीनं यथा तथा मातृविहीनमर्त्यः ॥ ४७ ॥
dharmaśca nārāyaṇabhaktihīnāṃ dhanaṃ ca sadbhogavivarjitaṃ hi | gṛhaṃ ca māryātanayervihīnaṃ yathā tathā mātṛvihīnamartyaḥ || 47 ||
നാരായണഭക്തിയില്ലാത്തവരുടെ ‘ധർമ്മം’ പോലും ശൂന്യമാണ്; ധനവും സദ്ഭോഗം ഇല്ലാതെ നിസ്സാരമാണ്. ഭാര്യയും മക്കളുമില്ലാത്ത വീട് എങ്ങനെ ശൂന്യമോ, അതുപോലെ മാതാവില്ലാത്ത മർത്ത്യൻ।
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that Dharma, wealth, and even household stability become spiritually barren if they are not anchored in Nārāyaṇa-bhakti; devotion is presented as the life-force that gives value and auspiciousness to all pursuits.
Bhakti is shown as the criterion that transforms externals—duty, prosperity, and social life—into meaningful, “noble” (sat) living; without devotion, these same achievements are compared to painful absence (like being motherless).
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is ethical: align dharma and artha with devotion so that enjoyment becomes “sad-bhoga” (wholesome, dharmic use of wealth).