Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20
Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy
Transition to Vedānta Inquiry
अल्पायुषो भविष्यंति केचिञ्चापि मुनीश्वर । केचित्पुण्यरतान् दृष्ट्वा असूयां विप्र कुर्वते ॥ २० ॥
alpāyuṣo bhaviṣyaṃti keciñcāpi munīśvara | kecitpuṇyaratān dṛṣṭvā asūyāṃ vipra kurvate || 20 ||
Wahai raja para muni, sebahagian manusia akan berumur pendek; dan sebahagian lagi, wahai brāhmaṇa, apabila melihat orang yang tekun berbuat kebajikan, mereka jatuh ke dalam iri hati dan suka mencela.
Narada (addressing a Munīśvara; within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue frame)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It identifies two marks of decline—shortened lifespan and envy of the righteous—showing that inner doṣas like asūyā destroy spiritual progress and social harmony.
Bhakti thrives on humility and honoring the sādhus; this verse warns that envying the virtuous (puṇya-ratāḥ) becomes a direct obstacle to devotion by breeding criticism and hardness of heart.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught here; the practical takeaway is dharma-based conduct—avoiding asūyā/nindā and cultivating puṇya-oriented behavior, which supports all sādhana.