Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16
Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy
पाषाणधारणं चैव शयनं कण्टकोपरि । पिपीलिकादंशनं च वृश्चिकैश्चापि पीडनम् ॥ १६ ॥
pāṣāṇadhāraṇaṃ caiva śayanaṃ kaṇṭakopari | pipīlikādaṃśanaṃ ca vṛścikaiścāpi pīḍanam || 16 ||
重い石を担ぐこと、棘の上に横たわること、蟻に噛まれること、また蠍に責め苦を受けること—これらは自らに課す苦行である。
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka (fear)
Secondary Rasa: vira (heroic)
FAQs
It enumerates extreme bodily mortifications—hardships undertaken as tapas—implying that mere physical pain is not, by itself, the essence of spiritual attainment; discernment and right practice are required.
By highlighting harsh self-torments, the verse implicitly contrasts external suffering with inner transformation; Narada Purana commonly redirects seekers toward sattvic discipline and devotion-oriented practice rather than pain as an end.
No specific Vedanga (such as Vyakarana, Shiksha, or Jyotisha) is taught in this line; it functions as a dharmic caution about the method and purpose of tapas within sadhana.