Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 28

Varṇāśrama-ācāra: Common Virtues, Varṇa Duties, and the Four Āśramas

Devanagari script

ऋतुकालाभिगामीच स्वदारेषु भवेत्तथा । सर्वलोकहितोषित्वं मंगलं प्रियवादिता ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

ṛtukālābhigāmīca svadāreṣu bhavettathā | sarvalokahitoṣitvaṃ maṃgalaṃ priyavāditā || 28 ||

Translation

他应只在适当的时节亲近自己的妻子；并当乐于众生之福祉——行止吉祥，言语柔和甘美。

Word by Word

• ऋतुकालाभिगामी: one who approaches (his wife) in the proper season
• ऋतुकालाभिगामी: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऋतु + काल + अभि + गामिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (ऋतुकाले अभिगच्छति) विशेषणम् (अध्याहृतः कर्ता)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

• स्वदारेषु: with/in one’s own wife (wives)
• स्वदारेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + दार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (स्वस्य दाराः)

• भवेत्: should be
• भवेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• सर्वलोकहितोषित्वम्: dwelling/abiding for the welfare of all people
• सर्वलोकहितोषित्वम्: Karta (कर्ता/Predicative-noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + लोक + हित + उषित्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (सर्वलोकहिते उषित्वम् = हिते स्थितिः/निवासः)

• मङ्गलम्: auspiciousness
• मङ्गलम्: Karta (कर्ता/Predicative-noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मङ्गल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• प्रियवादिता: pleasant speech
• प्रियवादिता: Karta (कर्ता/Predicative-noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रिय + वादिता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (प्रियं वदति इति/प्रियवचनशीलता)

Speaker

Sūta (narrating Narada Purana’s dharma-teachings in chapter context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

FAQs

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

It defines dhārmic household life as disciplined sexuality (within one’s marriage and proper time) combined with universal benevolence and auspicious, gentle speech—purifying personal life and society together.

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

By emphasizing self-restraint, welfare of others, and sweet speech, the verse supports sāttvika living—an essential foundation for steady bhakti, where one’s conduct becomes an offering and does not disturb the mind.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It indirectly relies on dharma-śāstra and traditional calendrical awareness (proper ṛtukāla), aligning conduct with time-discipline used in Vedic ritual life and observances.