Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27
Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy
अधर्मस्यानुमन्ता च ब्रह्महा परिकीर्तितः । अन्योद्वेगरतश्चैव अन्येषां दोषसूवकः ॥ २७ ॥
adharmasyānumantā ca brahmahā parikīrtitaḥ | anyodvegarataścaiva anyeṣāṃ doṣasūvakaḥ || 27 ||
He who consents to adharma, approving unrighteousness, is also declared a brahmahā. Likewise, one who delights in unsettling others, and one who proclaims the faults of others like an informer, is counted among such sinners.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a dharma-upadesha sequence)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It teaches that sin is not only in direct action but also in inner approval and harmful speech; consenting to adharma and delighting in others’ distress corrupts one’s dharma and produces grave pāpa.
Bhakti is supported by śuddha-ācāra (pure conduct): a devotee of Viṣṇu avoids harming beings through deed, consent, or speech, and cultivates compassion instead of fault-finding.
It emphasizes disciplined speech and ethical conduct—foundational to Dharmic practice and to correct application of śāstra (including rules of conduct taught alongside ritual life), warning against doṣa-udghoṣaṇa (broadcasting others’ faults).