Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21

Varṇāśrama-ācāra: Common Virtues, Varṇa Duties, and the Four Āśramas

Devanagari script

ग्राह्ये द्र्व्ये च पारक्ये समबुद्धिर्भवेत्तथा । सर्वलोकहितं कृर्यान्मृदुवाक्यमुदीरयेत् ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

grāhye drvye ca pārakye samabuddhirbhavettathā | sarvalokahitaṃ kṛryānmṛduvākyamudīrayet || 21 ||

Translation

Dù đối với vật nên nhận hay tài sản của người khác, cũng phải giữ tâm bình đẳng. Hãy hành động vì lợi ích của mọi loài và nói lời nhu hòa.

Word by Word

• grāhye: acceptable/to be taken
• grāhye: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: grāhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• dravye: in object/wealth
• dravye: Adhikarana (Location/Topic/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dravya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• pārakye: belonging to others
• pārakye: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pārakya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• samabuddhiḥ: even-minded/impartial
• samabuddhiḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samabuddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• bhavet: should be
• bhavet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Optative Mood (Vidhilin/विधिलिङ्), 3rd Person, Singular

• tathā: similarly
• tathā: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• sarvalokahitam: welfare of all worlds
• sarvalokahitam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarvalokahita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• kuryāt: should do
• kuryāt: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Optative Mood (Vidhilin/विधिलिङ्), 3rd Person, Singular

• mṛduvākyam: soft/gentle speech
• mṛduvākyam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛduvākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• udīrayet: should utter/speak
• udīrayet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: īr (with ud prefix) (धातु)
• Form: Causal Optative (Nijanta Vidhilin), 3rd Person, Singular

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a dharma-instruction context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

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

It defines inner dharma as impartiality and non-covetousness, expressed outwardly through actions that benefit all and speech that is gentle—purifying one’s mind and conduct.

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

Bhakti is stabilized by sattvic character: respecting others’ possessions, keeping equanimity, and speaking kindly. Such conduct reduces ego and harm, making the heart fit for devoted remembrance and service.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Primarily Vyākaraṇa-informed discipline of speech: choosing words carefully (mṛdu-vākya) as a practical application of refined language and ethical communication, though the verse is mainly a sadācāra (conduct) instruction.