Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 63
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
प्रायश्चित्तं चिकित्त्सां च ज्योतिषे धर्मनिर्णयम् । विनाशास्त्रेण यो ब्रूयात्तमाहुर्ब्रह्यघातकम् ॥ ६४ ॥
prāyaścittaṃ cikittsāṃ ca jyotiṣe dharmanirṇayam | vināśāstreṇa yo brūyāttamāhurbrahyaghātakam || 64 ||
One who teaches expiations (prāyaścitta), medical treatment, and the determination of dharma through astrology by resorting to destructive, harm-causing doctrines—him they call a slayer of Brahman, a grievous offender.
Narada (in dialogue context with Sanatkumara and the Kumaras)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It warns that sacred knowledge meant to protect life and uphold dharma becomes spiritually ruinous when used through harmful, destructive intent—such misuse is treated as a gravest offense.
Bhakti is grounded in compassion and dharmic conduct; the verse implies that a devotee must not weaponize śāstra (including Jyotiṣa or ritual expiations) to harm others, since devotion must express itself as protection and right guidance.
Jyotiṣa (a Vedāṅga) is referenced, specifically cautioning against using astrological reasoning to decide dharma in a destructive way, and it also touches on proper application of prāyaścitta and cikitsā.