Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
मृगपृष्टं परित्यज्य व्याघ्रयोः संमुखं ययौ । धनुःसंहितबाणेन तेनासौ शरशास्त्रवित् ॥ १२ ॥
mṛgapṛṣṭaṃ parityajya vyāghrayoḥ saṃmukhaṃ yayau | dhanuḥsaṃhitabāṇena tenāsau śaraśāstravit || 12 ||
മൃഗത്തെ പിന്തുടരുന്നത് ഉപേക്ഷിച്ച് അവൻ കടുവകളുടെ മുന്നിലേക്ക് നേരെ ചെന്നു; വില്ലിൽ അമ്പ് ഘടിപ്പിച്ച്, ശസ്ത്രവിദ്യയിൽ നിപുണനായ അവൻ അവരെ നേരിട്ടു।
Narrator (Purāṇic narrator in the ongoing dialogue; traditionally Sūta relating the account)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It highlights dharmic courage: withdrawing from a lesser pursuit and directly facing a greater threat with trained skill—showing that discipline and right action protect order (dharma).
Indirectly, it models single-pointed resolve: just as the warrior turns from distraction to the real danger, a bhakta turns from fleeting aims to steadfast commitment in the face of obstacles.
Not a Vedāṅga lesson directly; it emphasizes applied śāstra-knowledge—śara-śāstra (archery/missile discipline)—as a model of trained competence used in service of righteous duty.