Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19
Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya
प्रशांतमानसः स्थानभ्रष्टश्च विकलस्तथा । अतिवृद्धोऽतिनिःस्नेहः पीडितश्च तथा पुनः ॥ १९ ॥
praśāṃtamānasaḥ sthānabhraṣṭaśca vikalastathā | ativṛddho'tiniḥsnehaḥ pīḍitaśca tathā punaḥ || 19 ||
其心已平息而至迟钝者，失其本位而坠落者，羸弱不堪者；极其衰老者，过分缺乏慈爱与温暖者，复又为苦患所逼者——此等之人，皆被说为处于衰败之境。
Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada, Third Pada instructional context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It highlights human limitations—mental dullness, displacement from one’s proper life-order, infirmity, extreme old age, emotional dryness, and suffering—as conditions that can hinder steady discipline, and therefore must be acknowledged in applying dharma and sadhana appropriately.
By listing debilitated states, it implicitly teaches that bhakti and religious practice should be adapted with compassion and realism; when strength or stability is lacking, simpler, steadier devotional acts (smarana, nama-japa, and service) become especially relevant.
It reflects the Vedanga-style concern for eligibility and practical constraints in disciplined learning and observance—recognizing when a practitioner’s physical/mental condition affects the ability to sustain rigorous study, recitation, or ritual performance.