Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 88
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
श्वशुरो मातुलश्चैव ज्येष्ठभ्राता पिता तथा । उपनेता निषेक्ता च संस्कर्त्ता मित्रसत्तम ॥ ८८ ॥
śvaśuro mātulaścaiva jyeṣṭhabhrātā pitā tathā | upanetā niṣektā ca saṃskarttā mitrasattama || 88 ||
Der Schwiegervater, der Onkel mütterlicherseits, der älteste Bruder und der Vater; ebenso der Spender der Upanayana (Einweihung mit dem heiligen Faden), der Erzeuger und der Vollzieher der reinigenden Saṃskāras — diese sind wahrlich die edelsten der Freunde.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada on Dharma and social-ritual obligations)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It reframes key family and ritual guardians as “the best of friends,” teaching that reverence (satkāra) toward those who sustain one’s life, dharma, and purification is itself a dharmic discipline that supports inner steadiness.
By emphasizing gratitude and service to those who transmit dharma (especially the upanetā and saṃskartā), it builds the humility and right conduct that traditionally protect and nourish bhakti, even though the verse is primarily about social-ritual ethics.
It points to saṃskāra-prayoga (ritual application) connected with Kalpa/Vedāṅga practice—especially upanayana and other purificatory rites—by naming the upanetā and saṃskartā as crucial dharmic authorities.