Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 72
Ekādaśī Vrata-Vidhi and the Galava–Bhadrashīla Itihāsa
Dharmakīrti before Yama
एवमुक्तो धर्मराजश्चित्रगुप्तेन धीमता । ननाम दंडवद्भूमौ ममाग्रे सोऽनुकंपितः ॥ ७२ ॥
evamukto dharmarājaścitraguptena dhīmatā | nanāma daṃḍavadbhūmau mamāgre so'nukaṃpitaḥ || 72 ||
Thus addressed by the wise Citragupta, Dharmarāja—moved with compassion—bowed down before me, prostrating like a staff upon the ground.
Narada (narrating in first person: 'before me')
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
The verse highlights that even the cosmic judge (Dharmaraja) embodies humility and compassion—true dharma is not mere punishment, but justice tempered by mercy and reverence for spiritual authority.
While not directly describing Vishnu-bhakti, it models bhakti-like surrender: daṇḍavat-pranāma (full prostration) expresses ego-less submission and softened heart (anukampā), which are core devotional dispositions.
The practical takeaway is dharma-śāstra application: the administration of karma (by Dharmaraja with Chitragupta’s record) requires discernment and compassionate judgment—an applied ethics framework rather than a technical Vedanga lesson.