Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 126
Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy
देवतागृहभेत्तारस्तडागानां च भूपते । पुष्पारामभिदश्चैव यां गतिं यान्ति तच्छॄणु ॥ १२६ ॥
devatāgṛhabhettārastaḍāgānāṃ ca bhūpate | puṣpārāmabhidaścaiva yāṃ gatiṃ yānti tacchṝṇu || 126 ||
Ô roi, écoute quel sort attend ceux qui brisent les temples des dieux, qui détruisent les réservoirs et les étangs, et qui ruinent les jardins de fleurs.
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada, with the vocative 'bhūpate' reflecting a didactic address to a ruler/king in the narrative style)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
The verse frames temple-breaking and the destruction of life-supporting commons (ponds and gardens) as grave adharma, leading to a specific negative post-death destination (gati) governed by karma.
By condemning harm to devas’ sanctuaries and sacred supports for worship, it implies that true bhakti includes reverence, protection, and service to holy places rather than exploitation or violence toward them.
Ritual-practical dharma is implied: maintaining temples and water-reservoirs supports daily worship and yajña-related purity; it aligns with kalpa (ritual procedure) and dharmaśāstra-style conduct rather than a technical lesson in grammar or astrology.