Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 103
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
धर्मात्पापानि नश्यन्ति ज्ञानं शुद्धं च जायते । धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां ये फलान्यभिलिप्सवः ॥ ३ ॥
dharmātpāpāni naśyanti jñānaṃ śuddhaṃ ca jāyate | dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṃ ye phalānyabhilipsavaḥ || 3 ||
धर्म से पाप नष्ट होते हैं और शुद्ध ज्ञान उत्पन्न होता है। जो धर्म के फल—अर्थ, काम और मोक्ष—की अभिलाषा रखते हैं, वे धर्म का ही आश्रय लें।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the dialogue on dharma and true knowledge)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It states that dharma is not merely social duty—it is a purifying force that burns pāpa and gives rise to śuddha-jñāna, the inner clarity needed for liberation.
By emphasizing purification and the rise of pure knowledge, it supports bhakti indirectly: a dharmic life cleanses obstacles (pāpa) so devotion can become steady and informed, culminating in mokṣa.
The verse highlights the practical dharma-principle behind ritual life: actions aligned with dharma purify the doer and refine understanding—an underlying aim of Vedic rites and their disciplined performance.