Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 70

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

Transition to Vedānta Inquiry

Devanagari script

धर्ममार्गप्रणेतारं तिरस्कुर्वंति पापिनः । धर्मकार्ये रतं चैव वृथाविश्रंभिणो जनाः ॥ ७० ॥

Transliteration

dharmamārgapraṇetāraṃ tiraskurvaṃti pāpinaḥ | dharmakārye rataṃ caiva vṛthāviśraṃbhiṇo janāḥ || 70 ||

Translation

گناہگار لوگ دھرم کے راستے کے بانی کی تحقیر کریں گے۔ اور بے جا بھروسا کرنے والے لوگ نیک عمل میں رَت شخص کا بھی مذاق اڑائیں گے۔

Word by Word

• dharma-mārga-praṇetāram: the guide/leader of the path of dharma
• dharma-mārga-praṇetāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + mārga (प्रातिपदिक) + praṇetṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative/2nd), Ekavacana (Singular); Samāsa: Tatpuruṣa ‘dharma-mārgaṃ praṇayati iti praṇetā’ / ‘dharma-mārgasya praṇetā’

• tiraskurvanti: disrespect / reject
• tiraskurvanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: tiras-√kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• pāpinaḥ: sinners
• pāpinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāpin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative/1st), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• dharma-kārye: in a righteous duty
• dharma-kārye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + kārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (Neuter), Saptamī vibhakti (Locative/7th), Ekavacana (Singular); Samāsa: Tatpuruṣa ‘dharmasya kārye’

• ratam: devoted/engaged
• ratam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rata (कृदन्त; √ram धातु)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative/2nd), Ekavacana (Singular); Bhūta-kṛdanta (past participle) used adjectivally

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-avyaya (conjunction)

• eva: indeed/just
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avadhāraṇa-avyaya (emphatic particle)

• vṛthā-viśraṃbhiṇaḥ: falsely overfamiliar / deceitfully trusting
• vṛthā-viśraṃbhiṇaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vṛthā (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + viśraṃbhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative/1st), Bahuvacana (Plural); Samāsa: Karmadhāraya ‘vṛthā viśraṃbhiṇaḥ’

• janāḥ: people
• janāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative/1st), Bahuvacana (Plural)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

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

It warns that opposition to dharma is natural from the pāpinaḥ (sinful-minded) and from those with misplaced confidence; therefore a dhārmika should remain steady in dharma-kārya without seeking approval.

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

By implication, bhakti and dharma are practiced with firmness even when mocked; devotion matures when one serves righteousness and the Lord without depending on worldly validation or unreliable alliances.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes sadācāra (right conduct) and discernment in association—practical dharma-application rather than a technical Vedanga; it advises avoiding vṛthā-viśrambha (trusting unworthy counsel) while continuing prescribed duties.