Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 72

Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline

Devanagari script

वर्ज्यौ सर्वात्मना तौ हि श्रेयोघातार्थमुद्यतौ । नित्यक्रोधाच्छ्रियं रक्षेत्तपो रक्षेत्तु मत्सरात् ॥ ७२ ॥

Transliteration

varjyau sarvātmanā tau hi śreyoghātārthamudyatau | nityakrodhācchriyaṃ rakṣettapo rakṣettu matsarāt || 72 ||

Translation

Vì thế, hãy tránh xa cả hai bằng toàn thân tâm, bởi chúng sẵn sàng phá hoại điều thiện tối thượng. Hãy gìn giữ phú quý khỏi cơn giận thường trực, và gìn giữ khổ hạnh (tapas, công đức tu trì) khỏi lòng ganh tỵ.

Word by Word

• varjyau: to be avoided (both)
• varjyau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: varjya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्तव्य/यत्-प्रत्यय), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन); qualifying tau

• sarvātmanā: entirely
• sarvātmanā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva adverbial compound; instrumental sense ‘with whole self/entirely’ (सर्वेण आत्मना इति)

• tau: those two
• tau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन)

• hi: for / indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Causal/emphatic particle (निपात)

• śreyaḥ-ghāta-artham: for the destruction of welfare
• śreyaḥ-ghāta-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/उद्देश्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śreyas (प्रातिपदिक) + ghāta (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); purpose (प्रयोजन) sense; internal: śreyasaḥ ghātaḥ (ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa) + artham (tṛtīyā/ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa as ‘for the purpose of’)

• udyatau: intent / ready
• udyatau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ud-ya (धातु) + kta → udyata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past participle (क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन); qualifying tau

• nitya-krodhāt: from constant anger
• nitya-krodhāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक) + krodha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• śriyam: prosperity
• śriyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• rakṣet: should protect
• rakṣet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: rakṣ (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• tapaḥ: austerity
• tapaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• rakṣet: should protect
• rakṣet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: rakṣ (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• tu: but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Contrast particle (निपात)

• matsarāt: from envy
• matsarāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: matsara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in Moksha-Dharma context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It identifies anger and envy as destructive inner forces that directly ruin one’s śreyas (highest spiritual welfare), advising vigilant self-guarding so that both worldly well-being (śrī) and spiritual merit (tapas) remain intact.

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

Bhakti thrives on humility and goodwill; constant anger disrupts peace and relationships, while envy corrodes reverence and gratitude—both of which are essential for steady remembrance of the Lord and sincere devotional conduct.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga technique is taught; the practical takeaway is dharmic self-discipline (sadācāra): guarding one’s conduct by restraining anger and envy so that vows, japa, and tapas are not undermined.