Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 45
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
इत्युक्त्वाथर्वविद्भूपं वशिष्टः स्वाश्रमं ययौ । राजापि दुःखसंपन्नो राक्षसीं तानुमाश्रितः ॥ ४६ ॥
ityuktvātharvavidbhūpaṃ vaśiṣṭaḥ svāśramaṃ yayau | rājāpi duḥkhasaṃpanno rākṣasīṃ tānumāśritaḥ || 46 ||
इत्युक्त्वाथर्वविद्वशिष्ठो भूपं समाश्वास्य । स्वाश्रमं ययौ; राजा दुःखार्तो राक्षसीं तनुमाश्रितः ॥
Narrator (Purana narrator relaying the episode of Vasiṣṭha and the king)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It shows the immediate karmic-psychological consequence of unchecked grief: when wise guidance departs, a ruler can slip into a darker, rākṣasī (tamasic) disposition, emphasizing the need for dharma, self-control, and sattva.
While bhakti is not named directly here, the verse frames the problem—sorrow and demonic tendency—against which later Purāṇic instruction commonly prescribes devotion, remembrance, and surrender to Viṣṇu as stabilizing remedies for the mind.
The epithet “atharvavit” highlights Vedic learning—especially Atharva-veda’s association with protective rites and pacificatory measures—implying that disciplined Vedic counsel and right application of sacred knowledge guard one from destructive mental states.