Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 78
Mokṣopāya: Bhakti-rooted Jñāna and the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Viṣṇu-Meditation
चौर्येण वा बलेनापि परस्वहरणं हि यत् । स्तेयमित्युच्यते सद्भिरस्तेयं तद्विपर्ययम् ॥ ७८ ॥
cauryeṇa vā balenāpi parasvaharaṇaṃ hi yat | steyamityucyate sadbhirasteyaṃ tadviparyayam || 78 ||
மறைவாகவோ பலத்தாலோ பிறருடைய சொத்தைப் பறிப்பதே சத்புருஷர்கள் ‘ஸ்தேயம்’ (திருட்டு) எனக் கூறுவர்; அதற்கு எதிரானது ‘அஸ்தேயம்’ (திருடாமை).
Narada (teaching in a dharma-explanatory context within Book 1.1)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It grounds spiritual life in dharma by defining theft precisely: taking what belongs to another—secretly or by force—violates righteous conduct, while asteya is the deliberate restraint that supports inner purity.
Bhakti is strengthened by ethical discipline; asteya prevents greed and harm, making the mind steadier and more sattvic, which is considered favorable for sincere remembrance and worship of the Lord.
The verse is primarily dharma-nīti (ethical instruction) rather than a Vedanga; practically, it clarifies conduct for daily life—do not appropriate others’ wealth by deception or coercion.