Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 88
Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy
तदन्ते भुवमासाद्य भवन्ति म्लेच्छजातयः । अन्योद्वेगरता ये तु यान्ति वैतरणीं नदीम् ॥ ८८ ॥
tadante bhuvamāsādya bhavanti mlecchajātayaḥ | anyodvegaratā ye tu yānti vaitaraṇīṃ nadīm || 88 ||
Quando esse período de sofrimento chega ao fim, ao retornarem à terra nascem entre comunidades mleccha (forasteiras). Porém, os que se deleitam em causar medo e aflição aos outros vão ao rio Vaitaraṇī.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It warns that cruelty and the habit of terrifying others harden into karmic destiny: after suffering, one may be reborn in degraded conditions, and deliberate harm leads to severe post-death torment symbolized by the Vaitaraṇī.
By contrast: bhakti cultivates compassion and protection of beings, while this verse condemns the opposite tendency—taking pleasure in others’ fear—showing that true devotion must express itself as non-harm and benevolence.
It primarily reinforces Dharma-śāstra style ethical discernment (right conduct and its results) rather than a specific Vedāṅga; the practical takeaway is to avoid udvega-karaṇa (causing distress) as a clear karmic fault with grave consequences.