Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 78
Mokṣopāya: Bhakti-rooted Jñāna and the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Viṣṇu-Meditation
चौर्येण वा बलेनापि परस्वहरणं हि यत् । स्तेयमित्युच्यते सद्भिरस्तेयं तद्विपर्ययम् ॥ ७८ ॥
cauryeṇa vā balenāpi parasvaharaṇaṃ hi yat | steyamityucyate sadbhirasteyaṃ tadviparyayam || 78 ||
Dù làm bằng cách lén lút hay bằng vũ lực, việc lấy đi tài sản của người khác được bậc thiện nhân gọi là “steya” (trộm cắp). Điều trái lại là “asteya” (không trộm cắp).
Narada (teaching in a dharma-explanatory context within Book 1.1)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It grounds spiritual life in dharma by defining theft precisely: taking what belongs to another—secretly or by force—violates righteous conduct, while asteya is the deliberate restraint that supports inner purity.
Bhakti is strengthened by ethical discipline; asteya prevents greed and harm, making the mind steadier and more sattvic, which is considered favorable for sincere remembrance and worship of the Lord.
The verse is primarily dharma-nīti (ethical instruction) rather than a Vedanga; practically, it clarifies conduct for daily life—do not appropriate others’ wealth by deception or coercion.