Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 37
Hari-nāma Mahimā and Caraṇāmṛta: The Redemption of the Hunter Gulika
Uttaṅka Itihāsa
अहो निष्कारणं लोके बाधंते बहुधा जनान् । सर्वसंगविहीनोऽपि बाध्यते पिशुनैर्जनैः । तत्रापि साधून्बाधंते न समानान्कदाचन ॥ ३७ ॥
aho niṣkāraṇaṃ loke bādhaṃte bahudhā janān | sarvasaṃgavihīno'pi bādhyate piśunairjanaiḥ | tatrāpi sādhūnbādhaṃte na samānānkadācana || 37 ||
अहो लोके निष्कारणं जनान् बहुधा बाधन्ते। सर्वसङ्गविहीनोऽपि पिशुनैर्दुष्टजनैर्बाध्यते। तत्रापि साधून् एव बाधन्ते, समानान् कदाचन न॥
Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It highlights a recurring dharmic theme: the sādhus and the detached are often tested through unjust hostility, and the seeker should recognize slander (nindā) as a sign of worldly ignorance rather than a true measure of virtue.
Bhakti matures through humility and steadiness; when devotees or sādhus face baseless criticism, they are urged to remain non-reactive, uphold compassion, and continue their devotion without seeking validation from the fickle world.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is ethical discipline of speech (vāṅ-niyama)—avoiding piśunatā (backbiting) and nindā, which supports purity needed for mantra, ritual, and devotional practice.