Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38
Dharmopadeśa-Śānti: Rules of Impurity, Expiations, and Ancestor Rites
गोन्घस्य केचिदिच्छन्ति केचिच्चैवावकीर्णिनः । दण्डादूर्ध्वं प्रहारेण यस्तु गां विनिपातयेत् ॥ ३८ ॥
gonghasya kecidicchanti keciccaivāvakīrṇinaḥ | daṇḍādūrdhvaṃ prahāreṇa yastu gāṃ vinipātayet || 38 ||
Ada yang menetapkan penebusan bagi pembunuh lembu sebagai (prāyaścitta) “goṅghā”; ada pula yang menetapkan penebusan bagi “avakīrṇin”. Namun sesiapa yang memukul lembu melebihi had yang dibenarkan hingga menjatuhkannya, maka ia menanggung dosa berat itu dan wajib menjalankan penebusan yang dinyatakan.
Sūta (narrating the Dharma-teaching section as received in the Purāṇic transmission)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It frames cow-harm as a grave dharmic breach requiring prāyaścitta, reinforcing ahiṃsā and protection of life as foundational to purity and spiritual progress.
By emphasizing restraint and compassion—key virtues that support sattva and make one fit for worship and steady devotion, even though the verse itself is stated in legal-prāyaścitta terms.
It reflects Dharmaśāstra-style ritual jurisprudence—how transgressions are graded and matched with expiations (prāyaścitta-vicāra), a practical application allied with Kalpa (ritual/legal procedure).