Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 61
Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy
Transition to Vedānta Inquiry
अल्पद्रव्या वृथालिंगा वृथाहंकारदूषिताः । हर्तारं परवित्तानां भवितारो नराधमाः ॥ ६१ ॥
alpadravyā vṛthāliṃgā vṛthāhaṃkāradūṣitāḥ | hartāraṃ paravittānāṃ bhavitāro narādhamāḥ || 61 ||
Yaong salat sa yaman ngunit nagsusuot ng mga panlabas na tanda nang walang saysay, at nadungisan ng hungkag na pagmamataas—ang mga hamak na taong iyon ay nagiging magnanakaw, kumukuha ng yaman ng kapwa.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It condemns hollow religiosity—external signs without inner discipline—showing that ego and hypocrisy degrade a person into adharma, even to the point of stealing.
It implies that genuine bhakti requires humility and integrity; mere sectarian marks or showy identity without character is ‘vṛthā’ (fruitless) and leads away from righteous living.
Not a technical Vedanga lesson; the practical takeaway is dharma-nīti: inner self-control and truthfulness must accompany any outward religious practice or ritual identity.