Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 43
Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa
शुद्धिमाप्नोति देवर्षे ह्यन्यथा पतितो भवेत् । रत्नासनमनुष्यस्त्रीधेनुभूम्यादिकेषु च ॥ ४३ ॥
śuddhimāpnoti devarṣe hyanyathā patito bhavet | ratnāsanamanuṣyastrīdhenubhūmyādikeṣu ca || 43 ||
ഓ ദേവർഷേ! ഇങ്ങനെ ചെയ്താൽ ശുദ്ധി ലഭിക്കുന്നു; അല്ലെങ്കിൽ മനുഷ്യൻ പതിതനാകും—വിശേഷിച്ച് രത്നാസനം, മനുഷ്യർ, സ്ത്രീ, ധേനു (പശു), ഭൂമി മുതലായവ സംബന്ധിച്ചിടത്ത്.
Sanatkumara (in dialogue addressing Devarṣi Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It emphasizes śauca (purificatory discipline) as essential to dharma: correct conduct purifies, while negligence leads to patitatva (falling from religious integrity), especially in sensitive, high-stakes contexts like wealth, women, cows, and land.
Bhakti is sustained by dharmic purity: the verse implies that devotion must be supported by disciplined conduct and avoidance of transgressive dealings with protected or sacred categories (like dhenu and bhūmi), otherwise one’s spiritual standing is harmed.
It reflects Kalpa/Smārta-prayoga principles (ritual procedure and conduct): knowing when purification is required and how to avoid ritual/moral fault in transactions and interactions involving socially and ritually significant objects and beings.