Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 48
Yajñamālī–Sumālī Upākhyāna: Merit-Transfer through Temple Plastering (Lepa) and the Redemption of a Sinner
सुमाली भ्रातृदत्तेन पुण्येन गतकल्मषः । बभूव यमदूतास्तु तं त्यक्त्वा प्रपलायिताः ॥ ४७ ॥
sumālī bhrātṛdattena puṇyena gatakalmaṣaḥ | babhūva yamadūtāstu taṃ tyaktvā prapalāyitāḥ || 47 ||
ভ্ৰাতৃদত্ত পুণ্যৰ বলত সুমালী কল্মষমুক্ত হ’ল; আৰু যমদূতসকলে তাক ত্যাগ কৰি পলাই গ’ল।
Narada (narrating to the Sanatkumara brothers in the Purva Bhaga dialogue framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that sin (kalmaṣa) is not an unchangeable fate: when genuine merit (puṇya) arises—even through help from a close relation—one becomes purified, and the forces associated with punishment (Yamadūtas) lose their claim.
While the verse directly speaks of puṇya, the Narada Purana repeatedly frames puṇya as culminating in devotion and surrender that purifies the heart; once inner impurity is removed, fear-based bondage symbolized by Yama’s messengers naturally falls away.
The verse aligns with dharma-śāstra logic used in ritual practice: actions generate puṇya/pāpa and lead to results. Practically, it supports prayāścitta (expiation) and dāna (merit-giving acts) as structured means to reduce kalmaṣa, a theme often systematized through Vyākaraṇa-style precision in defining moral terms and results.