Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 46
The Origin of the Gaṅgā and the Gods’ Defeat Caused by Bali
कदाचिद्विमुखो याति जनो मातरि कोऽपि न । यस्य माता गृहे नास्ति यत्र धर्मपरायणा । साध्वी च स्त्री पतिप्राणा गन्तव्यं तेन वै वनम् ॥ ४६ ॥
kadācidvimukho yāti jano mātari ko'pi na | yasya mātā gṛhe nāsti yatra dharmaparāyaṇā | sādhvī ca strī patiprāṇā gantavyaṃ tena vai vanam || 46 ||
Tiada sesiapa pun pernah berpaling daripada ibunya. Namun bagi lelaki yang di rumahnya tiada ibu yang teguh berpegang pada dharma, dan tiada isteri suci yang menjadikan suami sebagai nyawanya—sesungguhnya, hutanlah tempat yang patut dituju olehnya.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a dharma discourse context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It presents the home as a dharma-supporting āśrama: when the household lacks the core pillars of dharmic nurture (a dharma-minded mother and a faithful, supportive spouse), the seeker is advised to adopt withdrawal (symbolized by the forest) to protect spiritual progress.
By implying that stable bhakti and sādhana thrive in a dharmic environment; if the household does not sustain virtue and discipline, the devotee should seek a setting that reduces distraction and strengthens single-pointed practice.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Śikṣā) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is āśrama-dharma discernment—knowing when household conditions support or obstruct dharmic living.