Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5
Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa
ब्रह्महा च सुरापी च स्तेयी च गुरुतल्पगः । महापातकिननस्त्वेते तत्संसर्गी च पंचमः ॥ ५ ॥
brahmahā ca surāpī ca steyī ca gurutalpagaḥ | mahāpātakinanastvete tatsaṃsargī ca paṃcamaḥ || 5 ||
برہمن کا قاتل، شراب پینے والا، چور، اور گرو کی بستر شکنی کرنے والا—یہ سب مہاپاتکی کہلاتے ہیں؛ اور ان کی صحبت رکھنے والا پانچواں شمار ہوتا ہے۔
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It defines the core category of mahāpātakas (grave transgressions) and warns that even close association with such offenders is spiritually contaminating, emphasizing vigilance in conduct and company as a foundation for dharma.
While not describing a bhakti-practice directly, it sets the ethical ground for devotion: purity of life and avoidance of corrupting company protect the mind’s steadiness, which is essential for sincere Vishnu-bhakti and scriptural living.
It reflects Dharmaśāstra-style classification used in smṛti traditions (closely tied to Kalpa/ritual-law reasoning): identifying degrees of sin and the practical rule that saṃsarga (harmful association) itself becomes a culpable factor requiring caution and, in later context, prāyaścitta.