Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24

Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy

Transition to Vedānta Inquiry

Devanagari script

व्रताचाराः प्रणश्यंति ज्ञानयज्ञादयस्तथा । उपद्रवा भविष्यंति ह्यधर्मस्य प्रवतनात् ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

vratācārāḥ praṇaśyaṃti jñānayajñādayastathā | upadravā bhaviṣyaṃti hyadharmasya pravatanāt || 24 ||

Translation

அதர்மம் பரவுவதால் விரத-ஆசாரங்கள் அழியும்; ஞானயஜ்ஞம் முதலிய புனித யாகங்களும் குறையும்; மேலும் கலக்கம், பேரிடர்கள் எழும்॥

Word by Word

• व्रत-आचाराः: observances of vows
• व्रत-आचाराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक) + आचार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom. 1), बहुवचन (pl.); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ‘व्रतानाम् आचाराः’

• प्रणश्यन्ति: perish/are destroyed
• प्रणश्यन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र- नश् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (pl.); परस्मैपदम्; उपसर्गः प्र-

• ज्ञान-यज्ञ-आदयः: knowledge-sacrifices and the like
• ज्ञान-यज्ञ-आदयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक) + यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom. 1), बहुवचन (pl.); समाहार/समुच्चयार्थः: ‘ज्ञानयज्ञः आदिः येषाम् ते’ (knowledge-sacrifice etc.)

• तथा: likewise/also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम् (adverb)

• उपद्रवाः: calamities/disturbances
• उपद्रवाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपद्रव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom. 1), बहुवचन (pl.)

• भविष्यन्ति: will be/arise
• भविष्यन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकारः (Simple Future), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (pl.); परस्मैपदम्

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम् (particle); कारणार्थे/निश्चयार्थे (for/indeed)

• अधर्मस्य: of unrighteousness
• अधर्मस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (m.), षष्ठी विभक्ति (Gen. 6), एकवचन (sg.)

• प्रवर्तनात्: from the arising/spread
• प्रवर्तनात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्र- वृत् (धातु) → प्रवर्तन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), पञ्चमी विभक्ति (Abl. 5), एकवचन (sg.); कारण/हेतु-अर्थे (cause)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It warns that when adharma becomes dominant, both external disciplines (vrata-ācāra) and higher spiritual rites (jñāna-yajña) weaken, and collective suffering manifests as upadravas—showing dharma as the protective order of society and sadhana.

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

By highlighting the collapse of formal vows and knowledge-based rites in times of adharma, the verse implies the need for steadier inner refuge—commonly framed in the Narada Purana as taking shelter of Hari-bhakti when other supports deteriorate.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse indirectly emphasizes Kalpa (ritual procedure) through “vrata-ācāra” and “yajña,” teaching that when correct ritual discipline and ethical conduct are neglected, social and personal disturbances follow.