Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38
Yajñamālī–Sumālī Upākhyāna: Merit-Transfer through Temple Plastering (Lepa) and the Redemption of a Sinner
पुरा त्वं वैश्यजातीयो नाम्ना विश्वंघभरः स्मृतः । त्वया कृतानि पापानि अहंत्यगणितानि वै ॥ ३८ ॥
purā tvaṃ vaiśyajātīyo nāmnā viśvaṃghabharaḥ smṛtaḥ | tvayā kṛtāni pāpāni ahaṃtyagaṇitāni vai || 38 ||
పూర్వం నీవు వైశ్యజాతిలో జన్మించి ‘విశ్వంఘభర’ అనే పేరుతో ప్రసిద్ధుడవు. నీవు చేసిన పాపాలు నిజంగా లెక్కలేనన్ని, అత్యంత ఘోరమైనవే.
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada in a didactic narrative context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna (compassion)
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka (fear)
FAQs
It frames the teaching through a karmic backstory: past identity and accumulated pāpa are acknowledged so that the text can emphasize transformation through dharma and higher spiritual discipline.
While bhakti is not named directly here, the verse sets up the classic Purāṇic arc—heavy past sin does not block liberation when one turns toward sincere devotion and righteous conduct, especially Vishnu-centered practice in Narada Purana.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught in this line; it primarily highlights ethical causality (karma–pāpa) that later supports practical disciplines such as vrata, dāna, and purification rites.