Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

The Exposition of Spiritual Knowledge

Jñāna-pradarśanam

Devanagari script

असत्प्रतिग्रहैश्चैव अपण्यानां च विक्रयैः । मया तपोविक्रयाद्यैरेतद्धनमुपार्जितम् ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

asatpratigrahaiścaiva apaṇyānāṃ ca vikrayaiḥ | mayā tapovikrayādyairetaddhanamupārjitam || 18 ||

Translation

Esta riqueza foi por mim ajuntada por meio de dádivas impróprias e subornos, vendendo o que não deveria ser vendido, e até mesmo negociando a austeridade (tapas) e coisas semelhantes.

Word by Word

• असत्-प्रतिग्रहैः: by improper acceptances (of gifts)
• असत्-प्रतिग्रहैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असत् (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रतिग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः षष्ठी/कर्मधारय-प्रायः (असतः प्रतिग्रहाः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चय/अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• अपण्यानाम्: of non-saleable/forbidden goods
• अपण्यानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध/Genitive), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• विक्रयैः: by sales
• विक्रयैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विक्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• मया: by me / I
• मया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/Instrumental), एकवचन

• तपो-विक्रय-आद्यैः: by selling austerity and the like
• तपो-विक्रय-आद्यैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक) + विक्रय (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (तपोविक्रयः आदयः)

• एतत्-धनम्: this wealth
• एतत्-धनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (एतत् धनम्)

• उपार्जितम्: has been acquired/earned
• उपार्जितम्: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-आर्ज् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्तः—भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP/क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे ‘अर्जितम्’ = ‘has been acquired’

Speaker

Unspecified (a confessing speaker within the Adhyaya’s moral discourse; framed in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It warns that wealth gained through adharmic means—bribes, forbidden trade, or monetizing spirituality—carries moral impurity and becomes an obstacle to inner purification and lasting merit (puṇya).

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Bhakti is grounded in sincerity and śuddha-ācāra (pure conduct). The verse implies that devotion cannot be “purchased” or advanced by hypocritical displays like selling tapas; integrity in livelihood supports genuine worship and remembrance of Bhagavan.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It relates to Dharma-śāstra application rather than a technical Vedanga: it distinguishes rightful pratigraha (accepting gifts) from asat-pratigraha (illicit acceptance) and cautions against commercializing sacred acts—useful for ritual ethics and conduct codes.