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 ||
Ninguém jamais se afasta de sua mãe. Mas o homem em cuja casa não há mãe dedicada ao dharma, nem esposa casta cuja própria vida seja o marido—para ele, em verdade, a floresta é o lugar aonde ir.
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.