Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23
The Description of the Index/Summary of the Garuḍa
Purāṇa
षोडशश्राद्धफलको वृत्तांतश्चात्र वर्णितः । निष्कृतिर्यममार्गस्य धर्मराजस्य वैभवम् ॥ २३ ॥
ṣoḍaśaśrāddhaphalako vṛttāṃtaścātra varṇitaḥ | niṣkṛtiryamamārgasya dharmarājasya vaibhavam || 23 ||
ഇവിടെ ഷോഡശ ശ്രാദ്ധങ്ങളുടെ ഫലവൃത്താന്തം വർണിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു; കൂടാതെ യമമാർഗ്ഗത്തെ സംബന്ധിച്ച പ്രായശ്ചിത്തവും ധർമ്മരാജന്റെ വൈഭവവും പ്രസ്താവിക്കുന്നു.
Narada (as the narrator summarizing contents, in dialogue-context with Sanatkumara tradition)
Vrata: Śrāddha (ṣoḍaśa-śrāddha cycle)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It functions as an index-like statement: the Purana has already explained the merits of the sixteen Śrāddhas, the remedial rites related to Yama’s path after death, and the sovereignty of Dharmarāja—linking ritual duty (pitṛ-tarpaṇa/śrāddha) with moral order (dharma) and post-death consequences.
Indirectly: by affirming dharmic observances like Śrāddha and respect for cosmic justice (Dharmarāja), it frames devotion as disciplined living—where honoring ancestors and following prescribed duties supports a sattvic life conducive to Vishnu-bhakti and spiritual progress.
Ritual application is emphasized (Kalpa/Smārta practice): performing Śrāddha correctly and knowing the appropriate niṣkṛti (prāyaścitta) for faults—practical guidance aligned with dharma-śāstra and ritual procedure.