Shloka 20
Brahmā’s Discourse to Mohinī
Harivāsara, Desire, and the Satya-Test of Rukmāṅgada
स्नानं वाप्यथवाभ्यंगं तस्याप्येवंविधा गतिः । सूचीमुखैः कृष्णवक्रैःर्भुज्यते कल्पसंस्थितिम् ॥ २० ॥
snānaṃ vāpyathavābhyaṃgaṃ tasyāpyevaṃvidhā gatiḥ | sūcīmukhaiḥ kṛṣṇavakraiḥrbhujyate kalpasaṃsthitim || 20 ||
ਸਨਾਨ ਹੋਵੇ ਜਾਂ ਕੇਵਲ ਤੇਲ ਦਾ ਅਭ੍ਯੰਗ, ਉਸ ਦਾ ਵੀ ਐਸਾ ਹੀ ਨਤੀਜਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਸੂਈ ਵਰਗੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਅਤੇ ਕਾਲੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਵਾਲੇ ਜੀਵ ਕਲਪਾਂਤ ਤੱਕ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਤੜਪਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
Narada (teaching in Uttara-Bhaga narrative style; often framed within dialogue with Sanatkumara tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
It warns that external acts like bathing or oil-anointing, when done in a context of wrongdoing or impure intent, do not protect one from karmic consequences; suffering can persist for vast cosmic durations (up to a kalpa).
By implication, it contrasts mere outward ritual with inner transformation: devotion and dharmic conduct are required, not just physical cleansing, to avoid painful karmic results.
It reflects Kalpa-style ritual reasoning: snāna and abhyanga are meaningful only when aligned with prescribed dharma and purity rules; otherwise, they do not function as true prayāścitta (atonement).