Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25
The Greatness of Viṣṇu
Viṣṇor Māhātmya
अयाज्ययाजकश्चैव सदैव ग्रामयाजकः । पिशुनो निष्ठुरश्चैव ह्यपण्यानां च विक्रयी ॥ २५ ॥
ayājyayājakaścaiva sadaiva grāmayājakaḥ | piśuno niṣṭhuraścaiva hyapaṇyānāṃ ca vikrayī || 25 ||
Também é censurável quem realiza sacrifícios para os que não são dignos de recebê-los, quem por paga serve sempre como sacerdote de aldeia, quem é caluniador e cruel, e quem vende o que não deve ser vendido.
Sanatkumāra (in instruction to Nārada, describing adharma-lakṣaṇas)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
It defines concrete marks of adharma that obstruct purity of karma: corrupt ritual service, harmful speech, cruelty, and livelihood rooted in prohibited commerce—all of which weaken merit and spiritual progress.
Bhakti in the Purana is supported by ethical living; a devotee avoids exploiting sacred rites, avoids slander and harshness, and keeps a clean livelihood so that worship and japa are not contradicted by conduct.
It points to ritual propriety within Kalpa (Vedāṅga dealing with sacrificial procedure): eligibility rules for yajña and the impropriety of performing rites for unqualified patrons or turning priestly duty into mere commerce.