Shloka 96
मायामोह-प्रवर्तन, वेदमार्ग-बहिष्कार, तथा पाषण्ड-संसर्ग-दोषः
Māyāmoha’s Delusion, Rejection of the Vedic Path, and the Fault of Heretical Association
एष पाषण्डसंभाषदोषः प्रोक्तो मया द्विज तथाश्वमेधावभृथस्नानमाहात्म्यम् एव च
eṣa pāṣaṇḍasaṃbhāṣadoṣaḥ prokto mayā dvija tathāśvamedhāvabhṛthasnānamāhātmyam eva ca
Thus, O twice-born one, I have explained the fault incurred by discoursing with the pāṣaṇḍas (those who reject the Vedic way); and I have also set forth the sacred greatness of the avabhṛtha bath that concludes the Aśvamedha sacrifice.
Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Fault of conversing with pāṣaṇḍas and the merit of avabhṛtha after Aśvamedha
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: authoritative
Concept: Association (saṃbhāṣā) with pāṣaṇḍas is declared a doṣa, while avabhṛtha—ritual bath concluding Aśvamedha—is extolled as purificatory.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Be discerning about influences and discourse when pursuing spiritual discipline; protect the integrity of one’s vows and practices.
Vishishtadvaita: Ritual and purity are meaningful as ordered disciplines within Bhagavān’s śāstra, supporting gradual refinement toward devotion.
FAQs
This verse frames such conversation as a doṣa (spiritual/social fault), reinforcing the Purana’s emphasis on guarding śruti-based dharma and avoiding influences that undermine Vedic conduct.
He presents it as a rite of purification and completion—its māhātmyam (merit) is highlighted as the culminating sanctification of a major royal sacrifice.
In the Vishnu Purana’s dharma sections, Vedic rites and purity norms are ultimately upheld as part of Viṣṇu’s cosmic order—dharma functions as the stabilizing expression of the Supreme Reality’s governance of the world.