Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 39
Gaṅgā-māhātmya: Bāhu’s Envy, Defeat, Forest Exile, and Aurva’s Dharmic Consolation
अपकीर्तिसमो मृत्युर्लोकेष्वन्यो न विद्यते । यदा बाहुर्वनं यातस्तदा तद्रा ज्यगा जनाः । सन्तुष्टिं परमां याता दवथौ विगते यथा ॥ ३९ ॥
apakīrtisamo mṛtyurlokeṣvanyo na vidyate | yadā bāhurvanaṃ yātastadā tadrā jyagā janāḥ | santuṣṭiṃ paramāṃ yātā davathau vigate yathā || 39 ||
लोकेषु अपकीर्तिसमो मृत्युर्नान्यो विद्यते। यदा बाहुः वनं यातः, तदा तस्य राज्यजनाः परमां सन्तुष्टिं ययुः, दवथौ विगते यथा॥
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in narrative context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It equates apakīrti (disgrace from adharma) with death itself, stressing that moral downfall and loss of dharmic reputation destroy one’s life-purpose and spiritual standing.
While not directly naming bhakti, it supports bhakti-based dharma by implying that righteous conduct and purity of name are essential supports for a life oriented to Bhagavan; adharma that causes disgrace obstructs devotion.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana, Jyotisha, or Kalpa) is taught here; the practical takeaway is niti/rajadharma—public relief and stability arise when harmful leadership is removed.