Shloka 18
Brahmā’s Discourse to Mohinī
Harivāsara, Desire, and the Satya-Test of Rukmāṅgada
वृद्धो वापि युवा वापि न पादौ धावयेद्वधूम् । उभयोः पतनं प्रोक्तं रौरवेऽङ्गारसंचये ॥ १८ ॥
vṛddho vāpi yuvā vāpi na pādau dhāvayedvadhūm | ubhayoḥ patanaṃ proktaṃ raurave'ṅgārasaṃcaye || 18 ||
سواء كان رجلاً عجوزاً أو شاباً، لا ينبغي للمرء أن يجعل زوجة ابنه تغسل قدميه. فقد قيل إن كليهما يسقطان (في الإثم)، وفي جحيم رورافا يكون مصيرهما كومة من الجمر المشتعل.
Narada (teaching dharma-nīti in Uttara-Bhaga context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It frames compassion and proper conduct in marriage as dharma: causing a bride to run on foot is treated as cruelty, producing karmic downfall for both and leading to painful afterlife consequences.
Bhakti in the Purāṇic sense is inseparable from dharmic behavior; honoring and protecting others—especially within marriage—supports purity (śuddhi) that sustains Vishnu-bhakti, while cruelty obstructs spiritual progress.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught here; the verse is primarily nīti-dharma, giving a practical ethical rule for household life and marriage conduct.