Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 71
Gaṅgā-māhātmya: Bāhu’s Envy, Defeat, Forest Exile, and Aurva’s Dharmic Consolation
यत्र सन्तः प्रवर्त्तन्ते तत्र दुःखं न बाधते । वर्तते यत्र मार्तण्डः कथं तत्र तमो भवेत् ॥ ७१ ॥
yatra santaḥ pravarttante tatra duḥkhaṃ na bādhate | vartate yatra mārtaṇḍaḥ kathaṃ tatra tamo bhavet || 71 ||
ଯେଉଁଠି ସନ୍ତମାନେ ଧର୍ମାଚରଣରେ ପ୍ରବୃତ୍ତ, ସେଠି ଦୁଃଖ ବାଧେ ନାହିଁ। ଯେଉଁଠି ମାର୍ତ୍ତଣ୍ଡ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଅଛନ୍ତି, ସେଠି ଅନ୍ଧକାର କେମିତି ରହିବ?
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It teaches that satsanga (association with the saintly) naturally dispels duḥkha, just as sunlight removes darkness—implying that virtue and spiritual clarity prevent the rise of suffering and ignorance.
Bhakti is strengthened in the company of santaḥ; when devotion and dharma are actively practiced among the virtuous, inner gloom (tamas) cannot remain, and the heart becomes steady in remembrance of the Divine.
The verse uses a clear upamā (analogy) to convey a teaching—useful for understanding Nirukta-style meaning and Vyākaraṇa-based clarity: like the Sun’s presence implies light, the presence of saintly conduct implies the absence of duḥkha and tamas.