Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 53
गङ्गामाहात्म्य — The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
मयैते निहताः पूर्वं त्वत्प्रतिज्ञाविरोधिनः । हतानां हनने कीर्तिः का समुत्पद्यते वद ॥ ५३ ॥
mayaite nihatāḥ pūrvaṃ tvatpratijñāvirodhinaḥ | hatānāṃ hanane kīrtiḥ kā samutpadyate vada || 53 ||
നിന്റെ പ്രതിജ്ഞയ്ക്ക് എതിരുനിൽക്കുന്ന ഇവരെ ഞാൻ മുമ്പേ കൊന്നതാണ്. മരിച്ചവരെ വീണ്ടും കൊല്ലുന്നതിൽ എന്ത് കീർത്തിയാണ് ഉണ്ടാവുക? പറയൂ.
Unspecified (a speaker addressing another who has made a vow)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
The verse critiques empty heroism and points to dharma-based glory: true kīrti arises from righteous restraint and honoring vows, not from striking those already defeated.
Indirectly, it supports bhakti by valuing inner discipline over egoic display; a devotee aligns actions with dharma and humility, avoiding violence done merely for reputation.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is nīti-dharma—measuring action by purpose and righteousness rather than outward acclaim.