Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

इदानीं श्रोतुमिच्छामि वर्णाचचारविधिं मुने । तथा सर्वाश्रमाचारं प्रायश्चित्तविधिं तथा ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

idānīṃ śrotumicchāmi varṇācacāravidhiṃ mune | tathā sarvāśramācāraṃ prāyaścittavidhiṃ tathā || 3 ||

Translation

Giờ đây, hỡi bậc hiền triết, con muốn được nghe về các quy tắc hành trì theo varṇa (các giai tầng), cùng các bổn phận của mọi āśrama (các giai đoạn đời sống), và cả nghi thức sám hối–tẩy tội (prāyaścitta).

Word by Word

• idānīm: now
• idānīm: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: idānīm (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, कालवाचक (temporal adverb): "now"

• śrotum: to hear
• śrotum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Infinitive complement)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु) + tumun (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: तुमुनन्त (infinitive), अव्ययवत्: "to hear"

• icchāmi: I wish
• icchāmi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: iṣ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन

• varṇa-ācāra-vidhim: the rules of conduct for the varṇas
• varṇa-ācāra-vidhim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ācāra (प्रातिपदिक) + vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास ("rule/procedure of varṇa-conduct"), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• mune: O sage
• mune: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• tathā: also/likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय/प्रकार (also/likewise)

• sarva-āśrama-ācāram: the conduct of all life-stages (āśramas)
• sarva-āśrama-ācāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + āśrama (प्रातिपदिक) + ācāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास ("conduct of all āśramas"), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• prāyaścitta-vidhim: the rules of expiation
• prāyaścitta-vidhim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāyaścitta (प्रातिपदिक) + vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास ("rule/procedure of expiation"), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• tathā: and also
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय (and also)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: jijnasa (inquisitive/learning tone)

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

The verse frames dharma as a structured path: right conduct for one’s varṇa and āśrama, and prāyaścitta as a means to restore purity and continue spiritual progress after lapses.

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

Though it is a dharma-oriented request, it supports bhakti indirectly by emphasizing disciplined living and purification—conditions traditionally seen as favorable for steady devotion and worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It points to applied dharma-śāstra practice—ācāra (conduct) and prāyaścitta (expiations)—which rely on correct ritual procedure and textual interpretation, closely allied to Kalpa (ritual discipline) and related śāstric methods.