Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 4
Dharmopadeśa-Śānti: Rules of Impurity, Expiations, and Ancestor Rites
भुञ्जानस्य तु विप्रस्य कदाचिजत्स्त्रवते गुदम् । उच्छिष्टत्वेऽशुचित्वे च तस्य शुद्धिं वदामि ते ॥ ४ ॥
bhuñjānasya tu viprasya kadācijatstravate gudam | ucchiṣṭatve'śucitve ca tasya śuddhiṃ vadāmi te || 4 ||
But if, while a brāhmaṇa is eating, there is at some time a discharge from the anus, he becomes both ‘ucchiṣṭa’ (tainted by remnants) and ‘aśuci’ (impure). I shall tell you the means of his purification.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a dharma-śāstra style dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
The verse emphasizes śauca (purity) as a support for dharma: when bodily impurity arises during eating, one should restore ritual and mental cleanliness through the prescribed purification, maintaining reverence for food and sacred conduct.
Indirectly, it frames bhakti as disciplined living: devotion is strengthened when daily actions—like eating—are performed with cleanliness and restraint, so worship and japa are not mixed with states of aśauca.
It reflects Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Dharma-vidhi: practical rules for handling impurity (aśauca/ucchiṣṭa) and the steps of śuddhi that enable continued participation in rites, recitation, and worship.