Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3
गङ्गामाहात्म्य — The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
ततस्तया गरो दत्तः कनिष्ठायै तु पापया । न स्वप्रभावं चक्रे वै गरो मुनिनिषेवया ॥ ३ ॥
tatastayā garo dattaḥ kaniṣṭhāyai tu pāpayā | na svaprabhāvaṃ cakre vai garo muniniṣevayā || 3 ||
Then that sinful woman gave the poison to the youngest. Yet the poison did not produce its own effect, for she was under the protective influence of service and association with a sage.
Narada (narrating to the Sanatkumara brothers, contextually)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that the merit and protective force gained through serving and associating with a realized sage can neutralize even severe harm, showing the supremacy of dharma and sadhu-sanga over adharma.
While not explicitly naming Vishnu-bhakti, it highlights a core bhakti principle: seva (service) to the holy and saintly elevates and safeguards the devotee, weakening the power of sin and hostile influences.
The verse mainly conveys dharmic ethics rather than a Vedanga technique; practically, it underscores the applied principle of right association (ācāra) as a lived discipline supporting spiritual life.