Shloka 13
Mohinī-Ākhyāna: Rukmāṅgada’s Refusal to Eat on Harivāsara
Ekādaśī
पिबेद्विषं विशेद्वह्निं निपतेत्पर्वताग्रतः । आकाशभासा स्वशिरश्छिंद्यादेव वरासिना ॥ १३ ॥
pibedviṣaṃ viśedvahniṃ nipatetparvatāgrataḥ | ākāśabhāsā svaśiraśchiṃdyādeva varāsinā || 13 ||
విషము త్రాగవచ్చును, అగ్నిలో ప్రవేశించవచ్చును, పర్వత శిఖరము నుండి పడవచ్చును, లేదా ఆకాశము వలె మెరిసే కత్తితో తన తలను నరుక్కోవచ్చును (కానీ ఏకాదశి నాడు భుజించరాదు).
Narada (as narrator within the Tirtha-Mahatmya context of Uttara-Bhaga)
Vrata: Ekadashi (implied by immediate context)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It uses extreme examples (poison, fire, cliff, self-decapitation) to stress that certain adharmic actions are so spiritually destructive that even death is preferable to committing them—highlighting the primacy of dharma in a tirtha context.
Bhakti in the Narada Purana is not mere emotion; it is protected by right conduct (sadācāra). The verse underscores that devotion must be accompanied by strict avoidance of prohibited acts that obstruct purity, pilgrimage merit, and remembrance of the Lord.
It reflects Dharma-śāstric nishedha reasoning (conduct-based injunctions) rather than a specific Vedanga technique; practically, it teaches ethical restraint as the foundation for effective ritual observance and tirtha-related vows.