Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

चत्वार आश्रमाः प्रोक्ताः पंचमो नोपपद्यते । ब्रह्मचारी गृही वानप्रस्थो भिक्षुश्च सत्तम ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

catvāra āśramāḥ proktāḥ paṃcamo nopapadyate | brahmacārī gṛhī vānaprastho bhikṣuśca sattama || 33 ||

Translation

所说住期（āśrama）唯有四种，第五种并不相应。即：梵行学生（brahmacārin）、居家者（gṛhastha）、林居者（vānaprastha）、与托钵出离者（bhikṣu）。噢至善之人。

Word by Word

• catvāraḥ: four
• catvāraḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: catvāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; numeral adjective qualifying ‘āśramāḥ’

• āśramāḥ: stages of life (āśramas)
• āśramāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āśrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

• proktāḥ: have been declared
• proktāḥ: Kriyā (कर्मणि-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√vac (धातु) + -ta (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Kṛdanta (past passive participle), Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; agrees with ‘āśramāḥ’

• pañcamaḥ: a fifth (one)
• pañcamaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pañcama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Niṣedha-avyaya (not)

• upapadyate: is possible/occurs
• upapadyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-√pad (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ lakāra (Present), Prathama puruṣa, Ekavacana; ātmanepada

• brahmacārī: a celibate student
• brahmacārī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmacārin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• gṛhī: a householder
• gṛhī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gṛhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• vānaprasthaḥ: a forest-dweller (retiree)
• vānaprasthaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānaprastha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• bhikṣuḥ: a mendicant
• bhikṣuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhikṣu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-avyaya (and)

• sattama: O best one
• sattama: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sattama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana, Ekavacana

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It establishes varṇāśrama order as a complete dharmic framework: life is structured into four legitimate stages, each purifying the person and culminating in renunciation aimed at liberation.

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

By defining the recognized āśramas, the verse implies that bhakti and worship can be practiced with integrity within each stage—discipline in one’s āśrama supports steady devotion and prepares the mind for higher realization.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse is primarily dharma-śāstric (conduct-oriented), but it presupposes Vedāṅga-based competence—especially Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Vyākaraṇa (correct recitation/usage)—as foundations for āśrama duties.