Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 58
Dharmopadeśa-Śānti: Rules of Impurity, Expiations, and Ancestor Rites
विंशतिर्गा वृषं चैकं दद्यात्तेषां च दक्षिणाम् । क्रिमिभिस्तृण संभूतैर्मक्षिकादिनिपातितैः ॥ ५८ ॥
viṃśatirgā vṛṣaṃ caikaṃ dadyātteṣāṃ ca dakṣiṇām | krimibhistṛṇa saṃbhūtairmakṣikādinipātitaiḥ || 58 ||
One should donate twenty cows and one bull, together with the proper dakṣiṇā (priestly fee). This is prescribed as prāyaścitta for harm or defilement caused by worms arising in grass and by creatures such as flies and the like that fall upon food or offerings.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It emphasizes restoring ritual purity and moral balance through prāyaścitta—specifically, dāna (charitable gifting) with dakṣiṇā—when defilement or harm occurs due to minute creatures like worms and flies.
While not directly teaching bhakti, it supports a devotee’s life by safeguarding śauca (purity) and dharma in worship; careful expiation and generosity are presented as practical supports for sustained, reverent devotion.
It reflects Kalpa/Smārta ritual discipline—rules of purity, contamination, and expiation—showing how prescribed dāna and dakṣiṇā function within Vedic ritual procedure.