Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38
Varṇāśrama Saṁskāras, Upanayana Windows, Brahmacārin Ācāra, and Anadhyāya Prohibitions
तथा पातकिनं चैव कदाचिन्नाभिवादयेत् । उन्मत्तं च शठं धूर्त्तं धावन्तमशुचिं तथा ॥ ३८ ॥
tathā pātakinaṃ caiva kadācinnābhivādayet | unmattaṃ ca śaṭhaṃ dhūrttaṃ dhāvantamaśuciṃ tathā || 38 ||
അതുപോലെ പാപിയെയും ഒരിക്കലും അഭിവാദ്യം ചെയ്യരുത്; ഉന്മത്തൻ, ശഠൻ, ധൂർത്തൻ, ഓടിക്കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നവൻ, അശുചി എന്നിവരെയും അഭിവാദ്യം ചെയ്യരുത്.
Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada, teaching dharma and conduct)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka (fear)
FAQs
The verse teaches sadācāra (right conduct): salutations are sacred acts tied to respect, purity, and mental steadiness, so they should be avoided in situations or toward persons where purity, clarity, or sincerity is absent.
Bhakti emphasizes purity of intention and reverence; the verse protects devotional practice from hypocrisy, agitation, and impurity by advising the devotee to maintain dignified, sattvic conduct around acts of respect.
It reflects kalpa-style practical discipline (ritual conduct and eligibility): salutations and respectful acts are regulated by śauca (purity) and context, aligning daily behavior with ritual propriety.