Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 84

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

Transition to Vedānta Inquiry

Devanagari script

अन्नोपाधिनिमित्तेन शिष्यान्गृह्णंति भिक्षवः ॥ ८४ ॥

Transliteration

annopādhinimittena śiṣyāngṛhṇaṃti bhikṣavaḥ || 84 ||

Translation

உணவை காரணமாகக் கொண்டு பிச்சுக்கள் சீடர்களை ஏற்றுக்கொள்கின்றனர்॥

Word by Word

• annopādhinimittena: due to the pretext/condition of food
• annopādhinimittena: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: annopādhinimitta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• śiṣyān: disciples
• śiṣyān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• gṛhṇaṃti: they accept/take
• gṛhṇaṃti: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: grah (धातु)
• Form: Present Tense (Lat/लट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Plural

• bhikṣavaḥ: mendicants
• bhikṣavaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhikṣu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It warns that spiritual authority can be misused: some renunciants make food or maintenance the hidden motive for gathering disciples, so a seeker should test a teacher’s intent and conduct.

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

Bhakti requires sincerity and purity of motive; the verse cautions devotees not to mistake material-minded dependence on offerings for genuine devotion-centered guidance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights applied Dharma and sadācāra (ethical discipline) rather than a specific Vedanga—emphasizing discernment (viveka) in choosing a guru and avoiding transactional religion.