Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 36
Janaka’s Quest for Liberation; Pañcaśikha’s Sāṅkhya on Renunciation, Elements, Guṇas, and the Deathless State
यदस्याचरितं कर्म सामान्यात्प्रतिपद्यते । अपि त्वयमिहैवान्यैः प्राकृतैर्दुःखितो भवेत् ॥ ३६ ॥
yadasyācaritaṃ karma sāmānyātpratipadyate | api tvayamihaivānyaiḥ prākṛtairduḥkhito bhavet || 36 ||
凡是仅凭外相相似而推断为“他的作为”的事，甚至你——就在此世——也可能被其他凡夫所加害而受苦。
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-Dharma context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It warns that judging a person’s karma by superficial resemblance (sāmānya) leads to error and suffering; the seeker must cultivate viveka—discerning inner intent and dharma rather than appearances.
Bhakti is protected by humility and discernment: a devotee should not imitate or misread the conduct of advanced souls, and should avoid being shaken by the opinions and pressures of ordinary (prākṛta) society.
The verse points to the need for proper interpretation (a core discipline behind śāstra-study); it aligns with Vyākaraṇa/Nyāya-style careful meaning-making—do not conclude intent from mere ‘general similarity’ without context and authority.