Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 81
Ekādaśī Vrata-Vidhi and the Galava–Bhadrashīla Itihāsa
Dharmakīrti before Yama
एकादशीव्रतपराङ्मुखमुग्रशीलं लोकापवादनिरतं परनिंदकं च । ग्रामस्य नाशकरमुत्तमवैरयुक्तं दूताः समानयत विप्रधनेषु लुब्धम् ॥ ८१ ॥
ekādaśīvrataparāṅmukhamugraśīlaṃ lokāpavādanirataṃ paraniṃdakaṃ ca | grāmasya nāśakaramuttamavairayuktaṃ dūtāḥ samānayata vipradhaneṣu lubdham || 81 ||
ദൂതന്മാർ ആ മനുഷ്യനെ കൊണ്ടുവന്നു—ഏകാദശിവ്രതത്തിൽ നിന്ന് പിന്തിരിഞ്ഞവൻ; ഉഗ്രസ്വഭാവി, ലോകാപവാദത്തിൽ മുങ്ങിയ പരനിന്ദകൻ; തന്റെ ഗ്രാമത്തെ നശിപ്പിച്ചവൻ, കടുത്ത വൈരത്തിൽ ബന്ധിതൻ, ബ്രാഹ്മണധനത്തിൽ ലുബ്ധൻ।
Narrator (in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)
Vrata: Ekadashi
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It lists key adharma traits—rejecting Ekadashi-vrata, slander, hostility, social harm, and greed for Brahmin wealth—showing how such conduct attracts punitive consequences and blocks spiritual progress.
By highlighting a life opposed to Ekadashi discipline and moral restraint, the verse implies that Bhakti to Vishnu is supported by vrata-observance, purity of speech, and non-harm, not by criticism and covetousness.
Ritual discipline (vrata-niyama) is emphasized: Ekadashi observance as a practical dharmic rule, along with ethical speech-control—both foundational to correct ritual life even when explicit Vedanga topics are not named.