Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 51

Hari-nāma Mahimā and Caraṇāmṛta: The Redemption of the Hunter Gulika

Uttaṅka Itihāsa

Devanagari script

अर्जितं च धनं सर्वं भुंजते बांधवाः सदा । स्वयमेकतमो मूढस्तत्पापफलमश्नुते ॥ ५१ ॥

Transliteration

arjitaṃ ca dhanaṃ sarvaṃ bhuṃjate bāṃdhavāḥ sadā | svayamekatamo mūḍhastatpāpaphalamaśnute || 51 ||

Translation

کمائی ہوئی ساری دولت ہمیشہ رشتہ دار ہی بھوگتے ہیں؛ مگر وہ نادان آدمی اکیلا ہی اُن گناہوں کا پھل بھگتتا ہے۔

Word by Word

• arjitam: earned/acquired
• arjitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: arjita (arj धातु; क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd—प्रथमा/द्वितीया), Singular; past passive participle (क्त) qualifying dhanaṃ

• ca: and
• ca: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय-निपात)

• dhanam: wealth
• dhanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhana (धन प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd—द्वितीया), Singular

• sarvam: all
• sarvam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (सर्व प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd—द्वितीया), Singular; adjective qualifying dhanaṃ

• bhuñjate: enjoy/consume
• bhuñjate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhuj (भुज् धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन); Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

• bāndhavāḥ: relatives
• bāndhavāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāndhava (बान्धव प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st—प्रथमा), Plural

• sadā: always
• sadā: Adverbial (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (कालवाचक-अव्यय)

• svayam: oneself
• svayam: Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: Reflexive indeclinable (स्वयम्-निपात)

• ekatamaḥ: one (of them)
• ekatamaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ekatama (एकतम प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st—प्रथमा), Singular; superlative/indefinite ‘one of them’

• mūḍhaḥ: a fool
• mūḍhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūḍha (मूढ प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st—प्रथमा), Singular; used substantively

• tat-pāpa-phalam: the fruit of that sin
• tat-pāpa-phalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad + pāpa + phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd—द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुष chain: ‘तस्य पापस्य फलम्’

• aśnute: experiences/partakes (of)
• aśnute: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: aś (अश् धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); Ātmanepada

Speaker

Sanatkumāra (in instruction to Nārada, within the didactic dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

FAQs

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

It teaches karma-phala realism: possessions may be consumed by others, but the moral burden of sinful earning is borne only by the doer—prompting detachment and righteous livelihood.

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

By warning against selfish, sinful accumulation, it redirects the seeker toward sattvic living and offering resources in service to Bhagavān, which supports steady bhakti and inner purity.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is ethical discipline (ācāra) in earning and giving, aligned with Dharma-śāstra principles.