Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 78
Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa
कामतो गोवधे नैव शुद्धिर्द्दष्टा मनीषिभिः । पानशय्यासनाद्येषु पुष्पमूलफलेषु च ॥ ७८ ॥
kāmato govadhe naiva śuddhirddaṣṭā manīṣibhiḥ | pānaśayyāsanādyeṣu puṣpamūlaphaleṣu ca || 78 ||
جان بوجھ کر گائے کے قتل میں داناؤں نے کوئی طہارت نہیں مانی۔ اسی طرح پینے، بستر، نشست وغیرہ میں، اور پھول، جڑ، پھل وغیرہ میں بھی (اس مہاپاپ کے بعد) پاکی نہیں سمجھی گئی॥۷۸॥
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Dharma discourse)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It emphasizes the extreme gravity of intentional cow-killing (treated as a major transgression) and warns that ordinary notions of ritual cleansing do not apply to such deliberate wrongdoing.
By highlighting ahimsa and reverence for sacred life, it sets a moral foundation for Vishnu-bhakti: devotion is not merely ritual, but requires restraint, compassion, and avoidance of deliberate harm.
It reflects Dharmashastra-style application of purity rules (śauca) and prayāścitta reasoning—how actions affect eligibility for ritual acts involving food, drink, seats, and offerings.