Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 86
Ekādaśī Vrata-Vidhi and the Galava–Bhadrashīla Itihāsa
Dharmakīrti before Yama
एवं दृष्ट्वा विस्मितास्ते यमदूता भयोत्कटाः । विश्वासं परमं चक्रुर्यमेन परिभाषिते ॥ ८६ ॥
evaṃ dṛṣṭvā vismitāste yamadūtā bhayotkaṭāḥ | viśvāsaṃ paramaṃ cakruryamena paribhāṣite || 86 ||
हे असे पाहून यमदूत अत्यंत भयभीत व विस्मित झाले आणि यमाने सांगितलेल्या वचनांवर त्यांनी परम विश्वास ठेवला।
Suta (narrating); within the narrative: description of the Yamadutas’ reaction to Yama’s instruction
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It highlights that even the agents of cosmic justice (Yamadutas) must submit to higher dharmic authority—Yama’s clarified command—showing that divine law operates through disciplined obedience, not personal impulse.
Indirectly, it supports the Purana’s broader theme that devotion and righteous conduct are protected by higher divine order: when dharma is properly understood, fear-driven forces withdraw and align with the superior instruction of the Lord’s administration.
The verse emphasizes śāsana (authoritative instruction) and proper interpretation of command—aligned with Vyākaraṇa/Nirukta-style precision in meaning—showing that correct understanding of statements determines right action.