Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 51
Dharmopadeśa-Śānti: Rules of Impurity, Expiations, and Ancestor Rites
एवमेव तु नारीणां मुण्डनं शिरसः स्मृतम् । न स्त्रिया वपनं कार्यं न च वीरासनं स्मृतम् ॥ ५१ ॥
evameva tu nārīṇāṃ muṇḍanaṃ śirasaḥ smṛtam | na striyā vapanaṃ kāryaṃ na ca vīrāsanaṃ smṛtam || 51 ||
Likewise, for women, the shaving of the head (muṇḍana) is remembered as prescribed. Yet a woman should not take up complete shaving as a regular practice, nor is the vīrāsana posture held to be prescribed for her.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It frames bodily observances (like tonsure and postures) as regulated acts of dharma—meant to be performed according to one’s eligibility and traditional prescription, not merely as personal austerity.
By emphasizing rule-bound conduct (ācāra), it supports bhakti as disciplined devotion—where external practices are subordinated to scriptural guidance and propriety rather than display of hardship.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied: it distinguishes which bodily rites and austerity-seats are considered appropriate, reflecting applied dharma through correct observance.