Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
स राक्षसस्तस्य गुरौ प्रयाते वशिष्टवेषं तु तदैव धृत्वा । राजानमभ्येत्य जगाद भोक्ष्ये मांसं समिच्छाम्यहमित्युवाच ॥ २० ॥
sa rākṣasastasya gurau prayāte vaśiṣṭaveṣaṃ tu tadaiva dhṛtvā | rājānamabhyetya jagāda bhokṣye māṃsaṃ samicchāmyahamityuvāca || 20 ||
ગુરુ પ્રસ્થાન કરતાં જ તે રાક્ષસે તરત વશિષ્ઠનો વેશ ધારણ કર્યો. રાજા પાસે જઈ કહ્યું—“હું ભોજન કરીશ; મને માંસ જોઈએ છે.”
Suta (narrating the Purana narrative)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
It highlights how adharma can masquerade as dharma—evil may imitate a revered rishi’s form—so discernment (viveka) is essential to protect righteousness.
Indirectly, it warns that devotion and reverence must be guided by discrimination; true bhakti aligns with dharma and cannot be manipulated by outward appearances alone.
The verse underscores the need for correct recognition of a guru and proper conduct around ritual purity; it connects to Dharmashastra-informed practice rather than a specific Vedanga like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa.