Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38
Dharmopadeśa-Śānti: Rules of Impurity, Expiations, and Ancestor Rites
गोन्घस्य केचिदिच्छन्ति केचिच्चैवावकीर्णिनः । दण्डादूर्ध्वं प्रहारेण यस्तु गां विनिपातयेत् ॥ ३८ ॥
gonghasya kecidicchanti keciccaivāvakīrṇinaḥ | daṇḍādūrdhvaṃ prahāreṇa yastu gāṃ vinipātayet || 38 ||
Certains prescrivent, pour celui qui tue une vache, l’expiation dite goṅghā ; d’autres prescrivent l’expiation de l’avakīrṇin. Mais quiconque frappe une vache au-delà de la mesure permise, au point de la faire tomber, encourt cette faute grave et doit accomplir l’expiation énoncée.
Sūta (narrating the Dharma-teaching section as received in the Purāṇic transmission)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It frames cow-harm as a grave dharmic breach requiring prāyaścitta, reinforcing ahiṃsā and protection of life as foundational to purity and spiritual progress.
By emphasizing restraint and compassion—key virtues that support sattva and make one fit for worship and steady devotion, even though the verse itself is stated in legal-prāyaścitta terms.
It reflects Dharmaśāstra-style ritual jurisprudence—how transgressions are graded and matched with expiations (prāyaścitta-vicāra), a practical application allied with Kalpa (ritual/legal procedure).