Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 68
Sṛṣṭi-varṇana, Bhārata-khaṇḍa-mahātmya, and Jagad-bhūgola
Creation, Glory of Bhārata, and World Geography
शुभं कर्म समुत्सृज्य दुष्कर्माणि करोति यः । कामधेनुं परित्यज्य अर्कक्षीरं सं मार्गति ॥ ६८ ॥
śubhaṃ karma samutsṛjya duṣkarmāṇi karoti yaḥ | kāmadhenuṃ parityajya arkakṣīraṃ saṃ mārgati || 68 ||
Ang sinumang tumatalikod sa mabubuting gawa at gumagawa ng kasalanan ay tulad ng taong iniwan ang Kāmadhenū, ang bakang tumutupad ng hiling, at naghahanap ng maputing katas na parang gatas mula sa halamang arka.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
It teaches viveka (discernment): rejecting śubha-karma for duṣkarma is self-defeating, like abandoning a true source of nourishment and benefit for an inferior, deceptive substitute.
Bhakti is sustained by sāttvika conduct—truthfulness, compassion, purity, and restraint. Choosing duṣkarma weakens the heart’s fitness for devotion, whereas śubha karma supports a steady, God-oriented life.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught; the verse functions as nīti-śikṣā (ethical instruction) using a clear upamā (analogy) to reinforce correct choice of action (karma-viveka).