Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15
Gaṅgā-māhātmya: Bāhu’s Envy, Defeat, Forest Exile, and Aurva’s Dharmic Consolation
यौवनं धनसंपत्तिः प्रभुत्वमविवेकिता । एकैकमप्यनर्थाय किमु यत्र चतुष्टयम् ॥ १५ ॥
yauvanaṃ dhanasaṃpattiḥ prabhutvamavivekitā | ekaikamapyanarthāya kimu yatra catuṣṭayam || 15 ||
यौवन, धनसंपत्ती, प्रभुत्व आणि अविवेक—यांपैकी प्रत्येक एकटाच अनर्थ घडवू शकतो; मग जिथे हे चौघे एकत्र असतील तिथे काय सांगावे!
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in an instructive discourse)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It warns that worldly advantages become spiritually dangerous when not governed by viveka (discernment); without inner discrimination, youth, wealth, and power amplify ego and lead to adharma, obstructing liberation.
Bhakti requires humility and self-restraint; the verse implies that when power and prosperity arise, one must anchor the mind in discernment and devotion so that success does not turn into pride and moral collapse.
The practical takeaway is ethical application of viveka rather than a technical Vedanga; it aligns with dharma-shastra style guidance—cultivating discrimination to regulate conduct when prosperity and influence increase.