Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13

Śrāddha-prayoga: Niyama, Brāhmaṇa-parīkṣā, Kutapa-kāla, Tithi-nyāya, and Vaiṣṇava-phala

Devanagari script

निंदकोऽमर्षणो धूर्तस्तथैव ग्रामयाजकः । असच्छास्त्राभिनिरतः परान्ननिगतस्तथा ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

niṃdako'marṣaṇo dhūrtastathaiva grāmayājakaḥ | asacchāstrābhinirataḥ parānnanigatastathā || 13 ||

Translation

诽谤者、不容忍者、狡诈者；以及为酬金在乡里行祭的雇佣祭司；沉迷伪经邪论者；并且依赖他人饮食而活者——此等于法事皆应视为不堪、不宜。

Word by Word

• niṃdakaḥ: a reviler; critic
• niṃdakaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niṃdaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• amarṣaṇaḥ: intolerant; unforbearing
• amarṣaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: amarṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (adjective)

• dhūrtaḥ: a rogue; cheat
• dhūrtaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhūrta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थे (likewise)

• eva: indeed/just
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (particle of emphasis)

• grāma-yājakaḥ: village-priest; one who performs rites for a village
• grāma-yājakaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: grāma (प्रातिपदिक) + yājaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (grāmasya yājakaḥ)

• asat-śāstra-abhinirataḥ: devoted to false scriptures
• asat-śāstra-abhinirataḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: asat (प्रातिपदिक) + śāstra (प्रातिपदिक) + abhinirata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (asatsu śāstreṣu abhinirataḥ = devoted to false scriptures); विशेषणम्

• para-anna-nigataḥ: dependent on others' food
• para-anna-nigataḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक) + anna (प्रातिपदिक) + nigata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (parānne nigataḥ = dependent on others' food); विशेषणम्

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थे (likewise)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in dialogue context with Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: raudra

FAQs

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

It warns that spiritual life and dharmic ritual require inner integrity—truthfulness, forbearance, and reliance on valid śāstra—so that practice does not become hypocrisy, exploitation, or doctrinal confusion.

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

Bhakti rests on humility and sincerity; slander, intolerance, deceit, and attachment to false teachings obstruct devotion by strengthening ego and delusion, making the heart unfit for steady remembrance of the Divine.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It implicitly stresses śāstra-prāmāṇya (scriptural authority) and right ritual professionalism—key to Vedāṅga-based practice—by cautioning against asat-śāstra and mercenary ritualism that departs from proper Vedic standards.