Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 81
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
नलभेऽहं सुखं किं चिज्जिताहारोऽतिदुःखितः । मया तु भक्षिता विप्राः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥ ८१ ॥
nalabhe'haṃ sukhaṃ kiṃ cijjitāhāro'tiduḥkhitaḥ | mayā tu bhakṣitā viprāḥ śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ || 81 ||
Wala akong natatagpuang kahit munting ligaya; bagama’t pinigil ko ang pagkain, labis pa rin ang aking pagdurusa. Tunay, nilamon ko ang mga brāhmaṇa—daan-daan, maging libu-libo.
Unnamed speaker (a repentant sinner/confessor within the narrative context of Adhyaya 9)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa (disgust)
Secondary Rasa: karuna (compassion)
FAQs
The verse highlights that external austerity (like restraining food) cannot yield peace when one bears the burden of grievous adharma; true relief requires repentance, ethical restoration, and purificatory dharma.
By showing the failure of mere bodily discipline, it implicitly points toward inner transformation—where sincere remorse, surrender, and purifying devotion (especially Vishnu-bhakti in the Narada Purana’s framework) become central to overcoming deep karmic distress.
No specific Vedanga technique is taught in this line; the practical takeaway is dharma-application: self-restraint (austerity) must be aligned with ahimsa and right conduct, otherwise it does not produce śānti (inner peace).