Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 41

The Origin of the Gaṅgā and the Gods’ Defeat Caused by Bali

Devanagari script

प्रयाससाध्यं सुकृतं न प्रशँसन्ति पण्डिताः । शरीरं यन्ततो रक्ष्यं धर्मसाधनतत्परैः ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

prayāsasādhyaṃ sukṛtaṃ na praśaṃsanti paṇḍitāḥ | śarīraṃ yantato rakṣyaṃ dharmasādhanatatparaiḥ || 41 ||

Translation

智者不称赞唯凭过度劳苦方能成就的善业。志在成就法（Dharma）者，当谨慎护持此身，因为身体是修持正法的器具。

Word by Word

• प्रयास-साध्यम्: achievable only with effort
• प्रयास-साध्यम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रयास (प्रातिपदिक) + साध्य (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √साध्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थः (प्रयासेन/प्रयासस्य साध्यम् = attainable by effort)

• सुकृतम्: merit / good deed
• सुकृतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुकृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation particle)

• प्रशंसन्ति: they praise
• प्रशंसन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-शंस् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम

• पण्डिताः: the wise
• पण्डिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पण्डित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), बहुवचन

• शरीरम्: the body
• शरीरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• यन्ततः: of the striving person
• यन्ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: यत् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय (Present active participle) → यत् + शतृ = यन्त्; षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन; ‘of one who strives/endeavours’

• रक्ष्यम्: to be protected
• रक्ष्यम्: Vidhi (विधि)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्/यत्-प्रत्यय (Gerundive/Future passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (to be protected)

• धर्म-साधन-तत्परैः: by those intent on accomplishing dharma
• धर्म-साधन-तत्परैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + साधन (प्रातिपदिक) + तत्पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष-श्रृङ्खला (धर्मस्य साधने तत्परैः = by those devoted to accomplishing dharma)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It teaches that Dharma should be pursued with discernment: merit is not measured by self-torture, and the body must be maintained because it is the primary support for worship, vows, study, and charity.

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

Bhakti requires steadiness—japa, puja, vrata, and remembrance of the Lord are sustained by a healthy body and mind; therefore, devotion favors disciplined balance over exhausting practices that break continuity.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It implies the Vedanga principle of proper prayoga (right application) in ritual and discipline: actions should follow measured rules (yukti and niyama) so that sadhana remains sustainable rather than harmful.