Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 39
Gaṅgā-māhātmya: Bāhu’s Envy, Defeat, Forest Exile, and Aurva’s Dharmic Consolation
अपकीर्तिसमो मृत्युर्लोकेष्वन्यो न विद्यते । यदा बाहुर्वनं यातस्तदा तद्रा ज्यगा जनाः । सन्तुष्टिं परमां याता दवथौ विगते यथा ॥ ३९ ॥
apakīrtisamo mṛtyurlokeṣvanyo na vidyate | yadā bāhurvanaṃ yātastadā tadrā jyagā janāḥ | santuṣṭiṃ paramāṃ yātā davathau vigate yathā || 39 ||
In all the worlds there is no death equal to disgrace. When Bāhu went to the forest, the people of that kingdom attained supreme contentment—like one whose burning fever has subsided.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in narrative context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It equates apakīrti (disgrace from adharma) with death itself, stressing that moral downfall and loss of dharmic reputation destroy one’s life-purpose and spiritual standing.
While not directly naming bhakti, it supports bhakti-based dharma by implying that righteous conduct and purity of name are essential supports for a life oriented to Bhagavan; adharma that causes disgrace obstructs devotion.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana, Jyotisha, or Kalpa) is taught here; the practical takeaway is niti/rajadharma—public relief and stability arise when harmful leadership is removed.