Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 96

Dvādaśī-vrata: Month-by-month Viṣṇu Worship and the Year-End Udyāpana

Devanagari script

सर्वव्रतेषु मतिमान्वित्तशाठ्यं विवर्जयेत् । यदि कुर्यात्क्षयं यान्ति तस्यायुर्द्धनसंपदः ॥ ९६ ॥

Transliteration

sarvavrateṣu matimānvittaśāṭhyaṃ vivarjayet | yadi kuryātkṣayaṃ yānti tasyāyurddhanasaṃpadaḥ || 96 ||

Translation

于一切戒愿之中，智者当远离在财物上之欺诈；若行此诡诈，其寿命与福财必将衰减。

Word by Word

• sarva-vrateṣu: in all vows/observances
• sarva-vrateṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), बहुवचन (plural)

• matimān: the wise (person)
• matimān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: matimat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular); विशेषण (implied subject)

• vitta-śāṭhyam: deceit regarding wealth
• vitta-śāṭhyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vitta (प्रातिपदिक) + śāṭhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• vivarjayet: should avoid
• vivarjayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√vṛj (वृज्) (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular)

• yadi: if
• yadi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yadi (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; शर्तार्थक-अव्यय (conditional particle: 'if')

• kuryāt: should do / were to do
• kuryāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (कृ) (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular)

• kṣayam: loss, diminution
• kṣayam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• yānti: go (to), come to
• yānti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yā (या) (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (present indicative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (plural)

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (masc/neut), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (singular)

• āyuḥ: lifespan
• āyuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āyus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)

• dhana-saṃpadaḥ: wealth and prosperity
• dhana-saṃpadaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhana (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃpad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (plural)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a vrata-dharma context)

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 teaches that vows (vratas) bear fruit only when supported by inner purity and truthful conduct; deceit corrupts the merit and leads to tangible decline—reduced longevity and prosperity.

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

Bhakti is grounded in sincerity (ārjava) and clean intention; cheating while performing religious observances contradicts devotion and weakens the devotee’s spiritual and worldly well-being.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights practical ritual ethics (vrata-niyama) rather than a technical Vedanga: the rule that offerings, charity, and vow-related expenditures must be honest and untainted for the rite’s efficacy.