Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 33

Varṇāśrama Saṁskāras, Upanayana Windows, Brahmacārin Ācāra, and Anadhyāya Prohibitions

Devanagari script

पाषण्ड जनसंयोगं शूद्रसंगं च वर्जयेत् । अभिवादनशीलः स्याद् वृद्धेषु च यथाक्रमम् ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

pāṣaṇḍa janasaṃyogaṃ śūdrasaṃgaṃ ca varjayet | abhivādanaśīlaḥ syād vṛddheṣu ca yathākramam || 33 ||

Translation

പാഷണ്ഡജനങ്ങളുടെ കൂട്ടായ്മയും ശൂദ്രരോടുള്ള അനുചിതസംഗവും വర్జിക്കണം. അഭിവാദനത്തിൽ ശീലമുള്ളവനായി, മുതിർന്നവർക്ക് യഥാക്രമം നമസ്കാരവും ആദരവും അർപ്പിക്കണം.

Word by Word

• पाषण्ड-जन-संयोगम्: association with heretical people
• पाषण्ड-जन-संयोगम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाषण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + जन (प्रातिपदिक) + संयोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘पाषण्डानां जनानां संयोगः/सङ्गः’

• शूद्र-सङ्गम्: company of Śūdras
• शूद्र-सङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + सङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘शूद्रैः सह सङ्गः’

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (conjunction)

• वर्जयेत्: should avoid
• वर्जयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वर्ज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• अभिवादन-शीलः: habitually saluting/respectful
• अभिवादन-शीलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभिवादन (प्रातिपदिक) + शील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘अभिवादनं शीलं यस्य’ (habitually respectful)

• स्यात्: should be
• स्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• वृद्धेषु: towards/among elders
• वृद्धेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन (Locative)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (conjunction)

• यथा-क्रमम्: in due order/according to rank
• यथा-क्रमम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समासः; अव्यय (adverb) ‘क्रमानुसारम्’

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that spiritual life is protected by guarding one’s company (saṅga) and by cultivating humility through respectful salutations to elders—both seen as supports for dharma and inner purity.

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

Bhakti is strengthened by avoiding influences that undermine śraddhā (faith) and by practicing humility and reverence; disciplined conduct and respectful behavior are presented as practical safeguards for steady devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights śiṣṭācāra (standard conduct) and samskāra-based etiquette such as abhivādana (formal salutation), which relate to correct ritual/social procedure rather than a technical Vedanga like Jyotiṣa or Vyākaraṇa.