Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
तद्याहि राक्षसत्वं त्वं तदाहारोचितं नृपा । इति शापं ददत्यस्मिन्सौदासो भयविह्वूलः ॥ २७ ॥
tadyāhi rākṣasatvaṃ tvaṃ tadāhārocitaṃ nṛpā | iti śāpaṃ dadatyasminsaudāso bhayavihvūlaḥ || 27 ||
“எனவே, அரசே! நீ ராக்ஷசத் தன்மை அடைந்து, அந்த உணவிற்கே தகுதியானவனாக ஆகுக.” என்று கூறி, பயத்தால் கலங்கிய சௌதாசன் சாபம் அளித்தான்.
Narrator (Purāṇic narrator recounting the episode of King Saudāsa)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It highlights how fear and disturbed judgment can lead to grave karmic outcomes—here, a curse that drives a fall into rākṣasa-nature and impure conduct.
Indirectly, it contrasts the instability of fear-driven action with the steadiness cultivated by devotion; bhakti disciplines the mind so one does not act rashly and incur destructive consequences.
The verse chiefly illustrates dharma and the ethics of speech (vāg-niyama) rather than a technical Vedāṅga; it warns that improperly used speech—like a curse—can become a powerful, harmful act.