Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 68
Gṛhastha-nitya-karman: Śauca, Sandhyā-vidhi, Pañca-yajña, and Āśrama-krama
यस्तु संध्यादिकर्माणि कूटयुक्तिविशारदः । परित्यजति तं विद्यान्महापातकिनां वरम् ॥ ६८ ॥
yastu saṃdhyādikarmāṇi kūṭayuktiviśāradaḥ | parityajati taṃ vidyānmahāpātakināṃ varam || 68 ||
जो कूटयुक्तीमध्ये चतुर असूनही संध्या-आदि नित्यकर्मे सोडतो, त्याला महापातकींमध्ये श्रेष्ठ असे जाणावे।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a dharma-upadesha context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka (fear)
Secondary Rasa: raudra (anger)
FAQs
It warns that neglecting obligatory daily disciplines like Sandhyā is not a minor lapse but a serious spiritual fall, especially when justified through clever, misleading arguments.
It implies that genuine devotion is supported by integrity and steadiness in prescribed duties; abandoning foundational practices through rationalization undermines sincerity and inner purity needed for bhakti.
Ritual discipline (kalpa-oriented practice of nitya-karmas) is emphasized, along with discernment against sophistry—using reasoning to evade śāstric injunctions.