Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 57

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

Transition to Vedānta Inquiry

Devanagari script

उत्कोचजीविनस्तत्र भविष्यंति कलौ मुने । धर्मटीनास्तु पाषंडा कापाला भिक्षवोऽधमाः ॥ ५७ ॥

Transliteration

utkocajīvinastatra bhaviṣyaṃti kalau mune | dharmaṭīnāstu pāṣaṃḍā kāpālā bhikṣavo'dhamāḥ || 57 ||

Translation

हे मुने! कलियुगात लाचारीवर जगणारे लोक होतील; आणि धर्माचा वेष धारण करणारे पाखंडी—कपालधारी भिक्षुक व अधम संन्यासी—उद्भवतील.

Word by Word

• उत्कोच-जीविनः: those who live by bribes/corrupt gain

• तत्र: there/in that time

• भविष्यन्ति: will come to be/will exist

• कलौ: in Kali-yuga

• मुने: O sage

• धर्म-टीनाḥ: those who put on/assume the appearance of Dharma (religious disguise)

• तु: but/indeed

• पाषण्डाः: heretics/false religionists

• कापालाः: skull-bearing ascetics (Kapālika-type)

• भिक्षवः: mendicants/monks

• अधमाः: low/base/degenerate.

Speaker

Sanatkumara (addressing Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Kali (Kali-yuga)

FAQs

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

It warns that Kali-yuga is marked by moral inversion—corruption and hypocrisy appear in religious and social life—so discernment (viveka) becomes essential for protecting true Dharma.

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

By contrasting genuine Dharma with outward show, it implies that authentic Bhakti is measured by purity of conduct and sincerity, not by costume, sectarian display, or livelihood based on exploitation.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Primarily Dharmic discernment rather than a technical Vedanga: it teaches ethical evaluation of teachers and mendicants—judging by śīla (character) and satya (truthfulness), not external marks.