Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23
Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy
महापातकिनस्त्वेते तत्संसर्गी च पञ्चमः । पंतिभेदीवृथापाकी नित्यं ब्रह्मणदूषकः ॥ २३ ॥
mahāpātakinastvete tatsaṃsargī ca pañcamaḥ | paṃtibhedīvṛthāpākī nityaṃ brahmaṇadūṣakaḥ || 23 ||
ଏମାନେ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ମହାପାତକୀ; ତାଙ୍କ ସଙ୍ଗ କରୁଥିବା ଲୋକ ପଞ୍ଚମ ଭାବେ ଗଣାଯାଏ। ପଙ୍କ୍ତିଭେଦକ, ବୃଥା ରନ୍ଧନକାରୀ, ଓ ଯେ ସଦା ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣଙ୍କୁ ଦୂଷେ—ସେମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଦୋଷୀ।
Sūta (narrating the teaching as part of the Narada Purana’s dharma discourse)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It warns that grave sin is not only in direct wrongdoing but also in enabling it—association with great sinners, disrupting sacred communal norms, misusing food, and habitual brāhmaṇa-slander are treated as serious dharmic violations that damage inner purity.
By stressing śuddhi (purity) in conduct and speech: devotion thrives with sat-saṅga and reverence for the dharmic order, while bad company and contemptuous speech undermine the devotional temperament.
It reflects smārta-ācāra tied to ritual discipline—rules of food preparation and communal eating (linked to kalpa/ācāra traditions), emphasizing that external ritual order supports internal purity.