Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 74

Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy

Transition to Vedānta Inquiry

Devanagari script

धर्मकंचुकसंवीता मुनिवेषधरा द्विजाः । अपण्यविक्रयरता अगम्यागामिनस्तथा ॥ ७४ ॥

Transliteration

dharmakaṃcukasaṃvītā muniveṣadharā dvijāḥ | apaṇyavikrayaratā agamyāgāminastathā || 74 ||

Translation

婆罗门披着“法”的外衣，装作牟尼圣者的形貌；却喜于买卖本不当交易之物，并趋向不应亲近的女子。

Word by Word

• धर्मकञ्चुकसंवीताः: clad in the cloak of dharma
• धर्मकञ्चुकसंवीताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म + कञ्चुक + संवीत (कृदन्त; सम्+वे धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (धर्मरूपेण कञ्चुकेन संवीताः = clothed in a 'dharma-cloak')

• मुनिवेषधराः: wearing the guise of sages
• मुनिवेषधराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुनि + वेष + धर (कृदन्त; धृ धातु)
• Form: कर्तृवाचक कृदन्त (ण्वुल्/अच्-प्रत्ययान्त 'धर'), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (मुनेः वेषं धरन्ति)

• द्विजाः: twice-born (men)
• द्विजाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• अपण्यविक्रयरताः: engaged in selling what should not be sold
• अपण्यविक्रयरताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ + पण्या + विक्रय + रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; नञ्-तत्पुरुष (अपण्या = not-to-be-sold) + तत्पुरुष (विक्रये रताः)

• अगम्यागामिनः: going to the forbidden (illicit)
• अगम्यागामिनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अगम्य + आगामिन् (प्रातिपदिक; आ+गम् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (अगम्यं गच्छन्ति = going to the forbidden)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (likewise)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a didactic critique of Kali-age conduct)

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 condemns hypocrisy—using the outer signs of dharma and asceticism while engaging in unethical livelihood and forbidden conduct—showing that true spirituality is measured by character, not costume.

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

By implication, it teaches that genuine bhakti must be accompanied by purity of conduct (sadācāra); devotion to Vishnu is incompatible with deceitful living and indulgence in prohibited actions.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reinforces dharma-śāstric discipline—rules of proper livelihood and sexual/social boundaries—rather than a technical Vedanga; the practical takeaway is ethical restraint as the foundation for any Vedic practice.