Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16

Śrāddha-prayoga: Niyama, Brāhmaṇa-parīkṣā, Kutapa-kāla, Tithi-nyāya, and Vaiṣṇava-phala

Devanagari script

वेदविक्रयिणश्चैव व्रतविक्रयिणस्तथा । स्मृतिविक्रयिणश्चैव मंत्रविक्रयिणस्तथा ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

vedavikrayiṇaścaiva vratavikrayiṇastathā | smṛtivikrayiṇaścaiva maṃtravikrayiṇastathā || 16 ||

Translation

Cũng vậy, kẻ đem Veda ra mua bán, kẻ bán các vrata (giới nguyện), kẻ bán Smṛti, và kẻ bán mantra (chân ngôn thánh)—đều bị lên án.

Word by Word

• veda-vikrayiṇaḥ: sellers of the Veda
• veda-vikrayiṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: veda (प्रातिपदिक) + vikrayin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (vedasya vikrayī)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (emphasis)

• vrata-vikrayiṇaḥ: sellers of vows/observances
• vrata-vikrayiṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vrata (प्रातिपदिक) + vikrayin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (vratasya vikrayī)

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थे (likewise)

• smṛti-vikrayiṇaḥ: sellers of Smṛti texts
• smṛti-vikrayiṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: smṛti (प्रातिपदिक) + vikrayin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (smṛteḥ vikrayī)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (emphasis)

• maṃtra-vikrayiṇaḥ: sellers of mantras
• maṃtra-vikrayiṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maṃtra (प्रातिपदिक) + vikrayin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (maṃtrasya vikrayī)

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थे (likewise)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none (generic 'vrata' mentioned as a category)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: raudra

FAQs

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

It warns that sacred knowledge and observances are meant for purification and liberation, not for trade; commodifying them corrupts intention (bhāva) and violates dharma.

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

Bhakti depends on sincerity and reverence; treating mantras, vratas, and scriptures as merchandise turns worship into transaction, weakening devotion and spiritual merit.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights the ethics of mantra-prayoga and transmission (linked with Śikṣā for correct recitation and Kalpa for ritual practice): they should be taught and applied as dharma, not sold as a commercial service.