Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56

Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy

Transition to Vedānta Inquiry

Devanagari script

द्विजाःस्वाचारमुत्स्सृज्यचपरपाकान्नभोजिनः । भविष्यंतिदुरात्मानः शूद्राः प्रव्रजितास्तथा ॥ ५६ ॥

Transliteration

dvijāḥsvācāramutssṛjyacaparapākānnabhojinaḥ | bhaviṣyaṃtidurātmānaḥ śūdrāḥ pravrajitāstathā || 56 ||

Translation

स्वधर्माचार सोडून द्विज परक्यांच्या शिजवलेल्या अन्नाचे भक्षण करतील व दुष्टबुद्धी होतील. तसेच शूद्रही प्रव्रज्या, म्हणजे संन्यासमार्ग स्वीकारतील.

Word by Word

• dvijāḥ: the twice-born (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya)

• svācāram: one’s own proper conduct (svadharma/ācāra)

• utsṛjya: having cast aside/abandoned

• ca: and

• para-pāka-anna: food cooked in another’s kitchen/by others

• bhojinaḥ: eaters/consumers

• bhaviṣyanti: will become/will be

• durātmānaḥ: evil-minded, of corrupted disposition

• śūdrāḥ: śūdras

• pravrajitāḥ: gone forth as renunciants/wanderers

• tathā: likewise/also.

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with Sanatkumara, describing Kali-yuga traits)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

FAQs

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

It highlights a Kali-yuga marker: the erosion of svadharma (one’s ordained discipline) and the confusion of social-spiritual roles, showing how outer identity can replace inner purity and right conduct.

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

Indirectly, it warns that external labels (birth-status or renunciant dress) are unreliable in Kali-yuga; genuine bhakti is measured by sāttvika conduct, self-restraint, and fidelity to dharma rather than by appearance or social claim.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It points to Dharmaśāstra-based ācāra (right conduct) and śauca (discipline/purity) principles—practical norms governing food, association, and life-stages (āśrama)—rather than a specific technical Vedanga like Jyotiṣa or Vyākaraṇa.