Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 41
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
राज्ञा त्वजानता नूनमेतत्कर्मोचितं कृतम् । विवेकरहितोऽज्ञोऽहं यतः पापं समाचरेत् ॥ ४१ ॥
rājñā tvajānatā nūnametatkarmocitaṃ kṛtam | vivekarahito'jño'haṃ yataḥ pāpaṃ samācaret || 41 ||
నిశ్చయంగా రాజు యోగ్యమేమిటో తెలియక ఈ కార్యం చేసెను. నేను కూడా వివేకరహిత అజ్ఞుడను; ఎందుకంటే పాపమార్గంలో ప్రవేశించితిని.
Unspecified (a repentant speaker within the narrative context of Adhyaya 9)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It highlights self-accountability: recognizing ignorance and lack of discernment (viveka) as the root of sinful action, which is the first step toward correction and purification.
By admitting fault and inner confusion, the verse sets the emotional ground for surrender—humility and remorse are key dispositions that mature into sincere seeking of divine guidance, often fulfilled through Vishnu-bhakti in the Purana’s broader teaching.
The practical takeaway is ethical discernment (viveka) applied to karma: knowing what is 'karmocita' (proper conduct) before acting—aligned with dharma-niti reasoning rather than a technical Vedanga like Vyakarana or Jyotisha.