Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 90
Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa
न दृष्ट्वा निष्कृतिस्तस्य सर्वशास्त्रेषु नारद । महापातकतुल्यानि यानि प्रोक्तानि सूरिभिः ॥ ९० ॥
na dṛṣṭvā niṣkṛtistasya sarvaśāstreṣu nārada | mahāpātakatulyāni yāni proktāni sūribhiḥ || 90 ||
நாரதா! எல்லா சாஸ்திரங்களிலும் அதற்கான நிஷ்க்ருதி (பரிகாரம்) காணப்படவில்லை; ஆகவே ஞானிகள் அதை மகாபாதகத்துக்கு ஒப்பென கூறினர்.
Sanatkumara
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It establishes a dharma principle: when the śāstras prescribe no valid expiation for an offence, it is treated as spiritually catastrophic—equivalent to a mahāpātaka—warning the seeker to avoid such acts at the root.
By stressing that some actions rupture dharmic and spiritual integrity beyond ordinary repair, the verse indirectly urges vigilant self-restraint and sincere surrender—foundational attitudes for steady Viṣṇu-bhakti and a pure devotional life.
It reflects Dharmaśāstra-based prayāścitta logic (ritual-legal reasoning): assessing sin by scriptural authority and determining whether an expiation exists—an applied, śāstra-grounded method rather than speculative judgment.