Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 53
Gaṅgā-māhātmya: Bāhu’s Envy, Defeat, Forest Exile, and Aurva’s Dharmic Consolation
ब्रह्महत्यादिपापानां प्रोक्ता निष्कृतिरुत्तमैः । दम्भिनो निंदकस्यापि भ्रूणघ्नस्य न निष्कृतिः ॥ ५३ ॥
brahmahatyādipāpānāṃ proktā niṣkṛtiruttamaiḥ | dambhino niṃdakasyāpi bhrūṇaghnasya na niṣkṛtiḥ || 53 ||
ब्रह्महत्या इत्यादी पापांसाठी उत्तमांनी प्रायश्चित्त सांगितले आहे; पण दंभ करणारा, निंदक आणि भ्रूणघ्न यांना निष्कृती नाही।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the prāyaścitta context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It asserts that ritual expiation is meaningful only when supported by inner integrity; hypocrisy and malicious speech undermine the very basis of purification, so such faults are treated as disqualifying rather than merely removable by rites.
Bhakti requires sincerity (ārjava) and respectful speech; the verse warns that outward religiosity without truthfulness and humility blocks purification, which is essential for steady devotion to Vishnu and genuine spiritual progress.
It relates to Kalpa (ritual procedure) through the topic of prāyaścitta, emphasizing that prescribed rites have conditions—ethical fitness and truthful conduct—without which ritual remedies are considered ineffective.