Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16
Varṇāśrama Saṁskāras, Upanayana Windows, Brahmacārin Ācāra, and Anadhyāya Prohibitions
अन्यथा पतितं विद्यात्कर्त्तापि ब्रह्महा भवेत् । र्मौजी विप्रस्य विज्ञेया धनुर्ज्या क्षत्त्रियस्य तु ॥ १६ ॥
anyathā patitaṃ vidyātkarttāpi brahmahā bhavet | rmaujī viprasya vijñeyā dhanurjyā kṣattriyasya tu || 16 ||
إن أُجري الأمرُ على غير الوجه المقرَّر، فاعلموا أنه يورث السقوط عن الدارما؛ والفاعلُ كذلك يصير آثماً كقاتلِ برهمن. وحزام الموجي (maujī) المصنوع من عشب المُنْجا هو لِلبراهمن، أمّا وترُ القوس فهو الشعار اللائق بالكشترية (kṣatriya).
Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It stresses that dharma must be practiced according to śāstra and one’s rightful discipline; misusing prescribed marks and duties is treated as a severe spiritual breach that leads to downfall.
By warning against adharma and hypocrisy, it supports bhakti as śuddha-ācāra—devotion expressed through truthful, rule-aligned conduct rather than external imitation.
It reflects Kalpa/Smārta-ritual discipline: correct assignment and use of varṇa-identifiers (like the brāhmaṇa’s maujī and the kṣatriya’s bowstring) as part of regulated religious practice.