Mohinī-Ākhyāna: Rukmāṅgada’s Refusal to Eat on Harivāsara
Ekādaśī
पिबेद्विषं विशेद्वह्निं निपतेत्पर्वताग्रतः । आकाशभासा स्वशिरश्छिंद्यादेव वरासिना ॥ १३ ॥
pibedviṣaṃ viśedvahniṃ nipatetparvatāgrataḥ | ākāśabhāsā svaśiraśchiṃdyādeva varāsinā || 13 ||
വിഷം കുടിക്കുകയോ തീയിൽ പ്രവേശിക്കുകയോ പർവ്വതമുകളിൽ നിന്ന് ചാടുകയോ ആകാശത്തെപ്പോലെ തിളങ്ങുന്ന വാളുകൊണ്ട് സ്വന്തം തല വെട്ടുകയോ ചെയ്യാം (എന്നാൽ ഏകാദശി വ്രതം മുറിക്കരുത്).
Narada (as narrator within the Tirtha-Mahatmya context of Uttara-Bhaga)
Vrata: Ekadashi (implied by immediate context)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: vira
It uses extreme examples (poison, fire, cliff, self-decapitation) to stress that certain adharmic actions are so spiritually destructive that even death is preferable to committing them—highlighting the primacy of dharma in a tirtha context.
Bhakti in the Narada Purana is not mere emotion; it is protected by right conduct (sadācāra). The verse underscores that devotion must be accompanied by strict avoidance of prohibited acts that obstruct purity, pilgrimage merit, and remembrance of the Lord.
It reflects Dharma-śāstric nishedha reasoning (conduct-based injunctions) rather than a specific Vedanga technique; practically, it teaches ethical restraint as the foundation for effective ritual observance and tirtha-related vows.