Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21
कर्मानुगशरीरेषु तत्तद्भुवनगेषु च । पाशाः पंच तथा तत्र प्रथमौ मलकर्मजौ ॥ २१ ॥
karmānugaśarīreṣu tattadbhuvanageṣu ca | pāśāḥ paṃca tathā tatra prathamau malakarmajau || 21 ||
In bodies that arise in accordance with one’s karma—and in the various worlds to which those bodies belong—there are said to be five “bonds” (pāśas). Among them, the first two are born of impurity (mala) and of action (karma).
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a doctrinal explanation)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It frames bondage as a structured doctrine: embodied life across worlds is governed by karma, and liberation requires recognizing the specific ‘bonds’—beginning with impurity (mala) and karma itself—as the primary causes that must be purified and transcended.
By identifying mala and karma as foundational fetters, the verse indirectly supports bhakti-sādhana: devotion combined with purity of conduct reduces mala, and dedication of actions (karma) to the Divine loosens karmic bondage, preparing the seeker for liberation.
The verse uses a technical classificatory approach typical of śāstric instruction: it systematizes causality (karma → body/world) and bondage (pāśa), which aligns with disciplined analysis found in Vedānta-oriented teaching and supports ritual-ethical purification practices discussed in śāstra.