Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16

Śrāddha-prayoga: Niyama, Brāhmaṇa-parīkṣā, Kutapa-kāla, Tithi-nyāya, and Vaiṣṇava-phala

Devanagari script

वेदविक्रयिणश्चैव व्रतविक्रयिणस्तथा । स्मृतिविक्रयिणश्चैव मंत्रविक्रयिणस्तथा ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

vedavikrayiṇaścaiva vratavikrayiṇastathā | smṛtivikrayiṇaścaiva maṃtravikrayiṇastathā || 16 ||

Translation

Также порицаемы те, кто продаёт Веды, кто продаёт обеты (врата), кто продаёт Смрити и кто продаёт мантры — священные формулы.

Word by Word

• veda-vikrayiṇaḥ: sellers of the Veda
• veda-vikrayiṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: veda (प्रातिपदिक) + vikrayin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (vedasya vikrayī)

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

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (emphasis)

• vrata-vikrayiṇaḥ: sellers of vows/observances
• vrata-vikrayiṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vrata (प्रातिपदिक) + vikrayin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (vratasya vikrayī)

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थे (likewise)

• smṛti-vikrayiṇaḥ: sellers of Smṛti texts
• smṛti-vikrayiṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: smṛti (प्रातिपदिक) + vikrayin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (smṛteḥ vikrayī)

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

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (emphasis)

• maṃtra-vikrayiṇaḥ: sellers of mantras
• maṃtra-vikrayiṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maṃtra (प्रातिपदिक) + vikrayin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (maṃtrasya vikrayī)

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थे (likewise)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none (generic 'vrata' mentioned as a category)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: raudra

FAQs

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

It warns that sacred knowledge and observances are meant for purification and liberation, not for trade; commodifying them corrupts intention (bhāva) and violates dharma.

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

Bhakti depends on sincerity and reverence; treating mantras, vratas, and scriptures as merchandise turns worship into transaction, weakening devotion and spiritual merit.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights the ethics of mantra-prayoga and transmission (linked with Śikṣā for correct recitation and Kalpa for ritual practice): they should be taught and applied as dharma, not sold as a commercial service.