Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 88
गङ्गामाहात्म्य — The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
अल्पैरहोभिरेवैते नाशमेष्यन्ति सागराः । इत्युक्ते मुनिना तेन कपिलेन महात्मना । प्रणम्य तं यथान्यायं गता नाकं दिवौकसः ॥ ८८ ॥
alpairahobhirevaite nāśameṣyanti sāgarāḥ | ityukte muninā tena kapilena mahātmanā | praṇamya taṃ yathānyāyaṃ gatā nākaṃ divaukasaḥ || 88 ||
When the great-souled sage Kapila declared, “In only a few days these oceans will meet destruction,” the denizens of heaven bowed to him in proper reverence and departed for Svarga.
Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing Kapila’s statement and the devas’ response)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It highlights the authority of realized sages like Kapila: when a mahātmā speaks, even the devas accept it, respond with reverence, and act accordingly—showing dharma as humility before spiritual wisdom.
Though not a direct bhakti instruction, it models a core bhakti attitude—praṇāma (reverent surrender) and honoring the saintly—an essential support for Vishnu-bhakti and Purāṇic devotion.
The verse emphasizes yathā-nyāya (proper procedure/etiquette), aligning with dharma-śāstra conduct rather than a technical Vedāṅga; the practical takeaway is disciplined, rule-based respectful behavior toward teachers and sages.