The Account of Kāṣṭhīlā (Kāṣṭhīlā-ākhyāna) within the Mohinī Narrative
स्त्रीसंगमे तरुच्छेदे यत्पापं शशिनः क्षये । यदुच्छिष्टे घृतं भोक्तुर्मैथुनेन दिवा च यत् ॥ १२७ ॥
strīsaṃgame tarucchede yatpāpaṃ śaśinaḥ kṣaye | yaducchiṣṭe ghṛtaṃ bhokturmaithunena divā ca yat || 127 ||
स्त्रीसंगमे तरुच्छेदे शशिनः क्षये च यत्पापम्, यदुच्छिष्टघृतभोजने दिवा मैथुने च यत् (तत्सर्वं)॥
Narada (teaching within a dharma/expiation-oriented passage; traditional dialogue framework with Sanatkumara lineage in Narada Purana)
Vrata: none (general niyamas; lunar-phase and conduct restrictions)
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"bhayanaka","emotional_journey":"A composed catalog of comparable sins creates a sober, cautionary mood; the cumulative listing intensifies moral gravity without narrative flourish."}
The verse groups several actions—improper sexual conduct, harming trees, disregarding lunar sanctity, and eating impure remnants—as spiritually demeritorious, emphasizing śauca (purity) and disciplined ācāra as foundations for dharma.
Bhakti in the Narada Purana is supported by purity and restraint; by warning against actions that generate pāpa and mental agitation, the verse indirectly protects the steadiness needed for Vishnu-bhakti, japa, vrata, and worship.
It reflects Jyotiṣa-oriented ritual timing awareness (lunar phases like śaśinaḥ kṣaya) and Dharmaśāstra-style ācāra rules about food purity (ucchiṣṭa) and conduct (divā-maithuna).