Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 88
Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy
तदन्ते भुवमासाद्य भवन्ति म्लेच्छजातयः । अन्योद्वेगरता ये तु यान्ति वैतरणीं नदीम् ॥ ८८ ॥
tadante bhuvamāsādya bhavanti mlecchajātayaḥ | anyodvegaratā ye tu yānti vaitaraṇīṃ nadīm || 88 ||
When that period of suffering ends, returning to the earth they are born among mleccha (outsider) communities. But those who delight in causing fear and distress to others go to the Vaitaraṇī River.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It warns that cruelty and the habit of terrifying others harden into karmic destiny: after suffering, one may be reborn in degraded conditions, and deliberate harm leads to severe post-death torment symbolized by the Vaitaraṇī.
By contrast: bhakti cultivates compassion and protection of beings, while this verse condemns the opposite tendency—taking pleasure in others’ fear—showing that true devotion must express itself as non-harm and benevolence.
It primarily reinforces Dharma-śāstra style ethical discernment (right conduct and its results) rather than a specific Vedāṅga; the practical takeaway is to avoid udvega-karaṇa (causing distress) as a clear karmic fault with grave consequences.