Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24

Bhāgīratha’s Bringing of the Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

धर्माविरोधतो वाच्यं तद्धि धर्मपरायणैः । देशकालादि विज्ञाय स्वयमस्याविरोधतः ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

dharmāvirodhato vācyaṃ taddhi dharmaparāyaṇaiḥ | deśakālādi vijñāya svayamasyāvirodhataḥ || 24 ||

Translation

ధర్మపరాయణులు ధర్మానికి విరోధం లేని మాటలనే పలకాలి. దేశ‑కాలాది పరిస్థితులను విచారించి, తన వాక్యం ధర్మవిరుద్ధం కాదని తానే నిర్ధారించుకోవాలి.

Word by Word

• धर्म-अविरोधतः: without opposing dharma; in a dharma-non-contradictory way
• धर्म-अविरोधतः: Hetu/Nimitta (हेतु/निमित्त)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + अविरोध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय (तसिल्/तस्-प्रत्ययान्त) = Ablatival adverb ‘from/with respect to’; ‘-तः’

• वाच्यम्: should be spoken
• वाच्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (तव्यत्/यत्-प्रत्यय) भाव्य/विधेय; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; passive necessity ‘to be spoken/should be said’

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात/पदार्थसूचक अव्यय; emphasis/causal particle

• धर्म-परायणैः: by those devoted to dharma
• धर्म-परायणैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (धर्मे परायणः); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया बहुवचन

• देश-काल-आदि: place, time, and the like
• देश-काल-आदि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश (प्रातिपदिक) + काल (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार-द्वन्द्व (देशः च कालः च); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन (object of gerund)

• विज्ञाय: having understood
• विज्ञाय: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund); ‘having known/ascertained’

• स्वयम्: oneself
• स्वयम्: Karta-viseshana (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; adverb ‘oneself’

• अस्य: of this/its
• अस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम्/अदस् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी एकवचन

• अविरोधतः: without contradiction
• अविरोधतः: Hetu/Nimitta (हेतु/निमित्त)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अविरोध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (तसिल्/तस्-प्रत्ययान्त) ‘-तः’; adverbial ablative sense

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It teaches dharmāvirodha—speech must be morally non-harmful and aligned with righteousness, and it must be tested against context (place, time, situation) through personal discernment.

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

Bhakti is expressed through disciplined conduct; a devotee’s words should not violate dharma, because truthful, timely, and non-injurious speech supports purity of mind that sustains devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It emphasizes applied dharma-nīti (ethical discernment) using deśa-kāla (contextual judgment), a practical rule used across śāstric decision-making for correct conduct and instruction.