Shloka 123
The Account of Kāṣṭhīlā (Kāṣṭhīlā-ākhyāna) within the Mohinī Narrative
मद्यं हि पिबतो ब्रह्मन् ब्राह्मणस्य दुरात्मनः । या गतिर्विहिता घोरा तां गतिं प्राप्नुयाम्यहम् ॥ १२३ ॥
madyaṃ hi pibato brahman brāhmaṇasya durātmanaḥ | yā gatirvihitā ghorā tāṃ gatiṃ prāpnuyāmyaham || 123 ||
O Brahmane, möge ich das schreckliche Geschick erlangen, das für den bösherzigen Brahmanen bestimmt ist, der berauschenden Trank trinkt.
Narrator/teacher voice within the Narada Purana (didactic admonition addressed as 'brahman')
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It underscores nishedha-dharma (prohibitions) by stating that drinking intoxicants—especially for a Brahmin—leads to a fearful karmic destiny (ghorā gati), reinforcing the Purana’s emphasis on purity of conduct as a foundation for spiritual progress.
By warning against madya (intoxicants), it implies that bhakti thrives on sattva, self-restraint, and clarity; intoxicants disturb discipline and purity, which are repeatedly treated in Purāṇic teaching as supportive conditions for steady devotion and worship.
The verse aligns with Dharma-śāstric application of Vedic norms—practical guidance for conduct (ācāra) and prohibited actions (niṣiddha-karma); it is less about a specific Vedāṅga technique (like Vyākaraṇa) and more about applied ritual-ethical discipline connected to orthodox practice.