Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

Varṇāśrama-ācāra: Common Virtues, Varṇa Duties, and the Four Āśramas

Devanagari script

देशाचाराः परिग्राह्यास्तत्तद्देशगतैर्नरैः । अन्यथा पतितो ज्ञेयः सर्वधर्मबहिष्कृतः ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

deśācārāḥ parigrāhyāstattaddeśagatairnaraiḥ | anyathā patito jñeyaḥ sarvadharmabahiṣkṛtaḥ || 17 ||

Translation

Dapat tanggapin ng tao ang mga kaugalian ng lupang kanyang tinitirhan, ayon sa ginagawa ng mga naroon. Kung hindi, siya’y dapat ituring na nahulog (patita) at itiniwalag sa lahat ng pagsasagawa ng dharma.

Word by Word

• देश-आचाराः: local customs
• देश-आचाराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश (प्रातिपदिक) + आचार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (देशस्य आचाराः)

• परिग्राह्याः: to be accepted
• परिग्राह्याः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परिग्राह्य (कृदन्त; √ग्रह् ग्रहणे with pari-)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; यत्/ण्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive: ‘to be accepted’)

• तत्-तत्-देश-गतैः: by men belonging to each respective region
• तत्-तत्-देश-गतैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + देश (प्रातिपदिक) + गत (कृदन्त; √गम् गत्यर्थे)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (तत्तत्-देशे गताः)

• नरैः: by men
• नरैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन

• अन्यथा: otherwise
• अन्यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• पतितः: a fallen person
• पतितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पतित (कृदन्त; √पत् गत्यर्थे)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle used substantively)

• ज्ञेयः: should be known (as)
• ज्ञेयः: Kriya (क्रिया/vidhi)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञेय (कृदन्त; √ज्ञा अवबोधने)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive: ‘to be known/considered’)

• सर्व-धर्म-बहिष्कृतः: excluded from all dharmas
• सर्व-धर्म-बहिष्कृतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + बहिष्कृत (कृदन्त; बहिः + √कृ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (सर्वधर्मेभ्यः बहिष्कृतः)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a dharma-instruction context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: raudra

FAQs

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

It teaches that dharma is practiced through lived discipline (ācāra), and that respecting the accepted norms of one’s place sustains social and ritual order—without which one becomes unfit for dharmic participation.

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

Bhakti is not presented here as an isolated inner feeling; it is supported by disciplined conduct. By honoring deśācāra, a devotee avoids adharmic disruption and remains qualified for worship, vrata, and temple-based devotional life.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights applied dharma-śāstra and sadācāra (codes of conduct) rather than a specific Vedāṅga; the practical takeaway is that ritual and religious life must align with locally recognized procedures and norms.