Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 58
Dharmopadeśa-Śānti: Rules of Impurity, Expiations, and Ancestor Rites
विंशतिर्गा वृषं चैकं दद्यात्तेषां च दक्षिणाम् । क्रिमिभिस्तृण संभूतैर्मक्षिकादिनिपातितैः ॥ ५८ ॥
viṃśatirgā vṛṣaṃ caikaṃ dadyātteṣāṃ ca dakṣiṇām | krimibhistṛṇa saṃbhūtairmakṣikādinipātitaiḥ || 58 ||
Qu’on fasse don de vingt vaches et d’un taureau, avec la dakṣiṇā due aux brāhmaṇas. Tel est le prāyaścitta prescrit pour l’atteinte ou la souillure causée par des vers nés de l’herbe, et par des êtres tels que les mouches et autres semblables tombant sur la nourriture ou les offrandes.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It emphasizes restoring ritual purity and moral balance through prāyaścitta—specifically, dāna (charitable gifting) with dakṣiṇā—when defilement or harm occurs due to minute creatures like worms and flies.
While not directly teaching bhakti, it supports a devotee’s life by safeguarding śauca (purity) and dharma in worship; careful expiation and generosity are presented as practical supports for sustained, reverent devotion.
It reflects Kalpa/Smārta ritual discipline—rules of purity, contamination, and expiation—showing how prescribed dāna and dakṣiṇā function within Vedic ritual procedure.