Shloka 20
Brahmā’s Discourse to Mohinī
Harivāsara, Desire, and the Satya-Test of Rukmāṅgada
स्नानं वाप्यथवाभ्यंगं तस्याप्येवंविधा गतिः । सूचीमुखैः कृष्णवक्रैःर्भुज्यते कल्पसंस्थितिम् ॥ २० ॥
snānaṃ vāpyathavābhyaṃgaṃ tasyāpyevaṃvidhā gatiḥ | sūcīmukhaiḥ kṛṣṇavakraiḥrbhujyate kalpasaṃsthitim || 20 ||
ไม่ว่าจะอาบน้ำหรือเพียงทาน้ำมัน ก็มีคติอย่างเดียวกัน คือถูกทรมานจนสิ้นกัลป์โดยเหล่าสัตว์นรกหน้าดั่งเข็ม ปากดำมืด
Narada (teaching in Uttara-Bhaga narrative style; often framed within dialogue with Sanatkumara tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
It warns that external acts like bathing or oil-anointing, when done in a context of wrongdoing or impure intent, do not protect one from karmic consequences; suffering can persist for vast cosmic durations (up to a kalpa).
By implication, it contrasts mere outward ritual with inner transformation: devotion and dharmic conduct are required, not just physical cleansing, to avoid painful karmic results.
It reflects Kalpa-style ritual reasoning: snāna and abhyanga are meaningful only when aligned with prescribed dharma and purity rules; otherwise, they do not function as true prayāścitta (atonement).