Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 50

Dhvaja-Dhāraṇa Mahātmyam: Sumati–Satyamatī, Humility, and Deliverance by Hari’s Messengers

Devanagari script

एकदा मद्यपानेन प्रमत्तौ निर्भरैमुने । तत्र देवालये रात्रौ मुदितौ मांसभोजनात् ॥ ५० ॥

Transliteration

ekadā madyapānena pramattau nirbharaimune | tatra devālaye rātrau muditau māṃsabhojanāt || 50 ||

Translation

有一次，噢仙者啊，他们二人因饮酒而放纵失度、毫无节制；那夜就在神庙中逗留，因食肉而心生欢喜。

Word by Word

• एकदा: once
• एकदा: Kala-adhikarana (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एकदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (once/one day)

• मद्यपानेन: by drinking liquor
• मद्यपानेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मद्यपान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3/करण), एकवचन; समास: मद्यस्य पानम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• प्रमत्तौ: (we two) became intoxicated/careless
• प्रमत्तौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + मद् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि/कर्तरि कृदन्त (past participle, क्त); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), द्विवचन

• निर्भरैः: completely
• निर्भरैः: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्भर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् प्रयोग (intensifier: fully)

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8), एकवचन

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Desha-adhikarana (देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (there)

• देवालये: in the temple
• देवालये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवालय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7/अधिकरण), एकवचन; समास: देवानाम् आलयः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• रात्रौ: at night
• रात्रौ: Kala-adhikarana (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रात्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• मुदितौ: (we two) were delighted
• मुदितौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मुद् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि/कर्तरि कृदन्त (past participle, क्त); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), द्विवचन

• मांसभोजनात्: from/because of eating meat
• मांसभोजनात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मांसभोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5/अपादान-हेतु), एकवचन; समास: मांसस्य भोजनम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Narada (narrative voice within the dialogue tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: raudra

FAQs

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

It highlights a dharmic lapse—intoxication and meat-eating—made worse by occurring in a temple, underscoring that sacred spaces demand heightened purity and restraint.

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

By contrast: Bhakti is supported by sāttvika conduct (self-control, purity, reverence). The verse depicts behavior that dulls awareness and disrupts the devotional mood required for worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual discipline (kalpa-oriented temple etiquette) is implied: maintaining śauca (purity) and avoiding tamasic influences like intoxication within a devalaya.