Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 59
Maṅgalācaraṇa, Naimiṣāraṇya-Sabhā, Sūta-Āhvāna, and Narada Purāṇa-Māhātmya
तैरर्जितानि पुण्यानि क्षयं यान्ति द्विजोत्तमाः । समस्तकर्मनिर्मूलसाधनानि नराधमः ॥ ५८ ॥
tairarjitāni puṇyāni kṣayaṃ yānti dvijottamāḥ | samastakarmanirmūlasādhanāni narādhamaḥ || 58 ||
اے بہترین دِوِجوں، اُن ذریعوں سے کمائے ہوئے پُنّیہ آخرکار زائل ہو جاتے ہیں۔ مگر نرادھم ایسے سادھنوں کا سہارا لیتے ہیں جو تمام کرموں کو جڑ سے اکھاڑ دینے والے کہے جاتے ہیں۔
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue style typical of Narada Purana, Adhyaya 1)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It contrasts perishable merit (puṇya) gained by ordinary means with a higher discipline aimed at uprooting karma itself, pointing toward liberation beyond temporary heavenly results.
By implying that merit-based practices are finite, it prepares the ground for a higher, transformative path—classically fulfilled in the Purana through devotion to the Lord that purifies the heart and breaks karmic bondage rather than merely accumulating reward.
The verse indirectly frames the limitation of ritual action (karma-kāṇḍa) that is governed by correct application of Vedic procedure (Kalpa/Vedāṅga), while emphasizing that liberation requires a practice that transcends mere ritual merit.