Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 59

Maṅgalācaraṇa, Naimiṣāraṇya-Sabhā, Sūta-Āhvāna, and Narada Purāṇa-Māhātmya

Devanagari script

तैरर्जितानि पुण्यानि क्षयं यान्ति द्विजोत्तमाः । समस्तकर्मनिर्मूलसाधनानि नराधमः ॥ ५८ ॥

Transliteration

tairarjitāni puṇyāni kṣayaṃ yānti dvijottamāḥ | samastakarmanirmūlasādhanāni narādhamaḥ || 58 ||

Translation

噢二生中的至上者，由那些手段所得之福德终将耗尽；而卑劣之人却依凭能从根本拔除一切业行之法门。

Word by Word

• तैः: by them
• तैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• अर्जितानि: acquired
• अर्जितानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्ज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• पुण्यानि: merits
• पुण्यानि: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• क्षयम्: to destruction/decay
• क्षयम्: Gati/Karma (गति/कर्म; destination)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• यान्ति: go/come to
• यान्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• द्विजोत्तमाः: O best of the twice-born
• द्विजोत्तमाः: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज-उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), बहुवचन; समासः (तत्पुरुष): द्विजानाम् उत्तमाः

• समस्तकर्मनिर्मूलसाधनानि: means that uproot all actions (karmas)
• समस्तकर्मनिर्मूलसाधनानि: Karma (कर्म/Object; implied)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समस्त-कर्म-निर्मूल-साधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन; समासः (तत्पुरुष-श्रृङ्खला): समस्तानि कर्माणि (all actions) + निर्मूल (root-destroying) + साधनानि (means)

• नराधमः: the lowest of men
• नराधमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर-अधम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः (तत्पुरुष): नराणाम् अधमः

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue style typical of Narada Purana, Adhyaya 1)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It contrasts perishable merit (puṇya) gained by ordinary means with a higher discipline aimed at uprooting karma itself, pointing toward liberation beyond temporary heavenly results.

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

By implying that merit-based practices are finite, it prepares the ground for a higher, transformative path—classically fulfilled in the Purana through devotion to the Lord that purifies the heart and breaks karmic bondage rather than merely accumulating reward.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse indirectly frames the limitation of ritual action (karma-kāṇḍa) that is governed by correct application of Vedic procedure (Kalpa/Vedāṅga), while emphasizing that liberation requires a practice that transcends mere ritual merit.