The Account of Kāṣṭhīlā (Kāṣṭhīlā-ākhyāna) within the Mohinī Narrative
निषिद्धवृक्षजनितं दंतकाष्ठं च खादतः । गामसेवयतो बद्ध्वा पाखंडपथगामिनः ॥ १३० ॥
niṣiddhavṛkṣajanitaṃ daṃtakāṣṭhaṃ ca khādataḥ | gāmasevayato baddhvā pākhaṃḍapathagāminaḥ || 130 ||
مَن يستعمل عود السِّواك (dantakāṣṭha) المصنوع من شجرٍ منهيٍّ عنه، ومَن ينتهك الدَّرما بمواقعة بقرة—يُوثَق ويُعامَل كأتباع السُّبل الزائغة المخادعة (pākhaṇḍa).
Suta (narrating the Narada Purana discourse; the injunction is presented as a dharma-vidhi within the chapter)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
It stresses that external purity (right daily conduct like proper dantakāṣṭha) and strict moral restraint are part of dharma; violations are treated as a fall into pākhaṇḍa—deceptive, anti-dharmic living.
Bhakti in the Purāṇic framework is supported by ācāra (right conduct). The verse implies that devotion is not merely emotional worship; it must be aligned with purity and non-violence, avoiding acts that destroy dharma.
It reflects Kalpa-based dharma practice (ritual and conduct codes) by specifying nishedha (prohibitions) regarding shaucha routines such as the proper use of dantakāṣṭha.