Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 47
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
मृगांश्च विविधांस्तत्र मानुषांश्च सरीसृपान् । विहङ्गमान्प्लवङ्गांश्च प्रशस्तांस्तानभक्षयत् ॥ ४८ ॥
mṛgāṃśca vividhāṃstatra mānuṣāṃśca sarīsṛpān | vihaṅgamānplavaṅgāṃśca praśastāṃstānabhakṣayat || 48 ||
There he did not eat the many kinds of deer, nor humans, nor reptiles; he also refrained from eating birds and monkeys—those creatures worthy of regard.
Narada (narrative voice within the dialogue tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It highlights dharmic restraint: spiritual progress is supported by self-control and compassion, shown here as refusing to harm or consume even readily available creatures.
Bhakti is strengthened by purity of conduct (sadācāra). Refraining from cruelty and indulgence steadies the mind, making devotion and remembrance of the Lord more stable.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this line; the practical takeaway is niyama (ethical discipline) aligned with dharma, which supports all Vedic practice and ritual purity.