Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18
Gṛhastha-nitya-karman: Śauca, Sandhyā-vidhi, Pañca-yajña, and Āśrama-krama
विधवानां च विप्रेंद्र एतदेव निगद्यते । एवं शौचं तु निर्वर्त्य पश्चाद्वै सुसमाहितः ॥ १८ ॥
vidhavānāṃ ca vipreṃdra etadeva nigadyate | evaṃ śaucaṃ tu nirvartya paścādvai susamāhitaḥ || 18 ||
हे विप्रेंद्र, विधवांसाठीही हाच नियम सांगितला आहे। असे शौच विधिपूर्वक करून नंतर मन एकाग्र करून सावध राहावे॥१८॥
Narada (in instruction to a Vipra interlocutor within the śauca discussion)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)
FAQs
It emphasizes that external purification (śauca) must be completed according to rule, and that true dharmic conduct continues afterward as inner steadiness and mindful self-restraint.
While the verse is primarily about dharma and purity, it supports bhakti indirectly: disciplined śauca and a composed mind (susamāhita) are presented as prerequisites for steady worship and remembrance of the Divine.
Ritual procedure and conduct (ācāra) are highlighted—how śauca is to be observed uniformly, including for widows, and the practical takeaway is maintaining regulated purity and mental focus after completing rites.