Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 51
Yamapatha (The Road of Yama), Dāna-Phala, and the Imperishable Fruition of Karma
यमः करिष्यते दंडमिति किं न विचारितम् । दरिद्रेऽपि च मूर्खे च पंडिते वा श्रियान्विते ॥ ५१ ॥
yamaḥ kariṣyate daṃḍamiti kiṃ na vicāritam | daridre'pi ca mūrkhe ca paṃḍite vā śriyānvite || 51 ||
यम नक्कीच दंड देईल, हे तुम्ही विचारले नाही काय? दरिद्री असो, मूर्ख असो, पंडित असो वा ऐश्वर्यवान असो।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a dharma-upadesha context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It underscores the universality of karmic accountability: Yama’s justice is not swayed by poverty, ignorance, scholarship, or worldly prosperity, so one should prioritize dharma over social identity.
By reminding that worldly advantages cannot protect one at death, it indirectly turns the mind toward taking refuge in higher spiritual discipline—especially devotion and righteous living—rather than depending on status or wealth.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is ethical discernment (dharma-viveka): evaluate actions now, knowing consequences are impartial.