Shloka 55
The Liberation of the Lizard
Godhā-vimukti
आत्मसौख्यकराः पापा भवंति परतापिनः । विप्रपन्ना वरारोहे परोपकरणाय वै ॥ ५५ ॥
ātmasaukhyakarāḥ pāpā bhavaṃti paratāpinaḥ | viprapannā varārohe paropakaraṇāya vai || 55 ||
บาปที่ทำเพื่อความสุขของตน ย่อมกลับเผาผลาญผู้อื่นในที่สุด โอหญิงผู้มีสะโพกงาม เพื่อประโยชน์แก่ผู้อื่นพึงเข้าไปหาพราหมณ์และบำเพ็ญการรับใช้॥๕๕॥
Narada (teaching within Uttara-Bhaga narrative; addressing a lady as 'varārohe')
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It defines pāpa by its consequence: actions pursued for private pleasure that cause harm to others become spiritually corrosive, while paropakāra (benefiting others) is upheld as a dharmic purifier.
Bhakti is strengthened by non-harm and service-mindedness; approaching the learned (vipras) for right conduct supports a life of seva, which aligns the heart toward devotion rather than selfish enjoyment.
It indirectly points to guidance from śāstra-knowing brāhmaṇas—especially dharma-nirṇaya supported by Vyākaraṇa (correct understanding of meaning) and Kalpa (right practice/ācāra)—so actions become beneficial rather than harmful.