Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31
Yajñamālī–Sumālī Upākhyāna: Merit-Transfer through Temple Plastering (Lepa) and the Redemption of a Sinner
कथमस्य भवेन्मोक्षः सांचितैः पापसंचयैः । तदुपायंबदध्वं मे यूयं हि ममबांधवाः ॥ ३१ ॥
kathamasya bhavenmokṣaḥ sāṃcitaiḥ pāpasaṃcayaiḥ | tadupāyaṃbadadhvaṃ me yūyaṃ hi mamabāṃdhavāḥ || 31 ||
«Como poderá ele alcançar a libertação (moksha) se montes de pecados acumulados foram ajuntados? Dizei-me o meio para isso, pois vós sois de fato meus parentes e benfeitores».
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It frames the central problem of bondage: even a vast stock of accumulated sin (sāṃcita pāpa) can obstruct liberation, so the seeker must learn the proper upāya (means) that neutralizes karmic burden and leads to mokṣa.
While this verse is a question rather than a prescription, it sets up the Narada Purana’s typical resolution: the compassionate “means” is often presented through devotion and surrender, especially Vishnu-bhakti, as a purifier capable of burning past karmas.
The verse points to the practical need for upāya—commonly expressed in Vedic practice as prayāścitta (expiation) and dharmic discipline—though no specific Vedanga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is explicitly mentioned in this shloka.