Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 30
Yamapatha (The Road of Yama), Dāna-Phala, and the Imperishable Fruition of Karma
पुण्यकर्मरतं सम्यक्स्नेहान्मित्रमिवार्चति । भो भो बुद्धिमतां श्रेष्ठानरकक्लेषभीरवः ॥ ३० ॥
puṇyakarmarataṃ samyaksnehānmitramivārcati | bho bho buddhimatāṃ śreṣṭhānarakakleṣabhīravaḥ || 30 ||
Par une affection véritable, il honore comme un ami celui qui s’adonne aux actes méritoires—ô le meilleur des sages—car il redoute les tourments de l’enfer.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It teaches that respect for the virtuous (those engaged in puṇya-karmas) is itself a dhārmic act, and that awareness of karmic consequences—such as naraka-kleśa—can restrain wrongdoing and support righteous living.
While not explicitly naming Vishnu-bhakti, it supports bhakti indirectly by valuing sāttvika conduct and honoring the righteous; such reverence (ārcana-like respect) cultivates humility and good association, which are foundations for devotional life.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is ethical discipline—honoring the dhārmika and avoiding adharma due to the recognized results of karma.