Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24

Varṇāśrama Saṁskāras, Upanayana Windows, Brahmacārin Ācāra, and Anadhyāya Prohibitions

Devanagari script

नष्टे भ्रष्टे नवं मंत्राद्धृत्वा भ्रष्टं जले क्षिपेत् । वर्णिनो वर्त्तनं प्राहुर्भिक्षान्नेनैव केवलम् ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

naṣṭe bhraṣṭe navaṃ maṃtrāddhṛtvā bhraṣṭaṃ jale kṣipet | varṇino varttanaṃ prāhurbhikṣānnenaiva kevalam || 24 ||

Translation

若咒文经本遗失或讹坏，当从传授咒法处取一部新而正的本子，并将那错误之本投入水中。诸圣贤宣说：梵行学子（varṇin/brahmacārin）正当的生计，唯以乞食所得之食为足。

Word by Word

• naṣṭe: when (it is) lost
• naṣṭe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: naṣṭa (कृदन्त; √naś धातु)
• Form: Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग); past passive participle used adjectivally

• bhraṣṭe: when (it is) spoiled/defiled
• bhraṣṭe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhraṣṭa (कृदन्त; √bhraṃś धातु)
• Form: Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग); past passive participle used adjectivally

• navam: new
• navam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग)

• mantrāt: from/with (a) mantra
• mantrāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular (एकवचन), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग)

• dhṛtvā: having taken/held
• dhṛtvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dhṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय; अव्ययभाव), expressing prior action

• bhraṣṭam: the spoiled (thing)
• bhraṣṭam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhraṣṭa (कृदन्त; √bhraṃś धातु)
• Form: Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग); used substantively

• jale: in water
• jale: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग)

• kṣipet: should throw
• kṣipet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṣip (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्; optative), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• varṇinaḥ: of the brahmacārin/student
• varṇinaḥ: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṇin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग)

• varttanam: maintenance/livelihood
• varttanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varttana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग)

• prāhuḥ: they have said/declare
• prāhuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ah (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्; perfect), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• bhikṣā-annena: by alms-food
• bhikṣā-annena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhikṣā (प्रातिपदिक) + anna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग); तत्पुरुषः (षष्ठी/सम्बन्ध): bhikṣāyāḥ annaṃ → bhikṣānna

• eva: only/indeed
• eva: Sambandha/Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), emphasis/restriction

• kevalam: solely
• kevalam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kevala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Used adverbially as indeclinable (अव्ययीभाव/क्रियाविशेषण-रूपेण)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in the dharma-instruction 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 emphasizes mantra-śuddhi (purity and correctness of sacred formulae) and disciplined living: preserving a correct transmission while discarding defective recitations/texts, and sustaining the brahmacārin through humble dependence on bhikṣā.

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

By insisting on accurate mantra practice and a life of simplicity, it supports bhakti as steady, reverent discipline—devotion expressed through correct sacred speech and renunciation of worldly earning during studentship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It points to the need for correct mantra preservation and recitation—closely tied to Śikṣā (phonetics) and Vyākaraṇa (grammar)—so that a corrupted form is replaced with an authentic version from proper instruction.