Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 60
Maṅgalācaraṇa, Naimiṣāraṇya-Sabhā, Sūta-Āhvāna, and Narada Purāṇa-Māhātmya
पुराणान्यर्थवादेन ब्रुवन्नरकमश्नुते । अन्यानि साधयन्त्येव कार्याणि विधिना नराः ॥ ५९ ॥
purāṇānyarthavādena bruvannarakamaśnute | anyāni sādhayantyeva kāryāṇi vidhinā narāḥ || 59 ||
Celui qui parle des Purāṇas comme d’un simple arthavāda, une louange amplifiée, encourt l’enfer. Quant aux autres devoirs, les hommes ne les accomplissent qu’en les exécutant selon la règle et le rite appropriés.
Sanatkumara (in dialogue instructing Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It asserts śāstra-prāmāṇya (the authority of scripture): treating the Purāṇas as mere hyperbole undermines dharma and leads to spiritual downfall, while right practice depends on honoring prescribed vidhi.
Bhakti in the Purāṇic framework rests on śraddhā in sacred narratives and teachings; dismissing Purāṇas as “just praise” erodes that faith, whereas devotion matures when practiced with reverence and proper discipline.
The verse emphasizes vidhi—rule-governed performance—aligning with Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Dharma-śāstra principles: actions bear fruit when done according to injunction and method.