Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56

Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy

Transition to Vedānta Inquiry

Devanagari script

द्विजाःस्वाचारमुत्स्सृज्यचपरपाकान्नभोजिनः । भविष्यंतिदुरात्मानः शूद्राः प्रव्रजितास्तथा ॥ ५६ ॥

Transliteration

dvijāḥsvācāramutssṛjyacaparapākānnabhojinaḥ | bhaviṣyaṃtidurātmānaḥ śūdrāḥ pravrajitāstathā || 56 ||

Translation

اپنے مقررہ آچار کو چھوڑ کر دِوِج دوسرے کے پکائے ہوئے اَنّ کا بھوجن کریں گے اور بدباطن ہو جائیں گے۔ اسی طرح شُودر بھی پرورجیا، یعنی ترکِ دنیا کا راستہ اختیار کریں گے۔

Word by Word

• dvijāḥ: the twice-born (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya)

• svācāram: one’s own proper conduct (svadharma/ācāra)

• utsṛjya: having cast aside/abandoned

• ca: and

• para-pāka-anna: food cooked in another’s kitchen/by others

• bhojinaḥ: eaters/consumers

• bhaviṣyanti: will become/will be

• durātmānaḥ: evil-minded, of corrupted disposition

• śūdrāḥ: śūdras

• pravrajitāḥ: gone forth as renunciants/wanderers

• tathā: likewise/also.

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with Sanatkumara, describing Kali-yuga traits)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

FAQs

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

It highlights a Kali-yuga marker: the erosion of svadharma (one’s ordained discipline) and the confusion of social-spiritual roles, showing how outer identity can replace inner purity and right conduct.

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

Indirectly, it warns that external labels (birth-status or renunciant dress) are unreliable in Kali-yuga; genuine bhakti is measured by sāttvika conduct, self-restraint, and fidelity to dharma rather than by appearance or social claim.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It points to Dharmaśāstra-based ācāra (right conduct) and śauca (discipline/purity) principles—practical norms governing food, association, and life-stages (āśrama)—rather than a specific technical Vedanga like Jyotiṣa or Vyākaraṇa.