Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 132
Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy
तेषां तासां च संख्यानं कर्त्तुं नालमहं प्रभो । पापानां यातनानां च धर्माणां चापि भूपते ॥ १३२ ॥
teṣāṃ tāsāṃ ca saṃkhyānaṃ karttuṃ nālamahaṃ prabho | pāpānāṃ yātanānāṃ ca dharmāṇāṃ cāpi bhūpate || 132 ||
Tâu Chúa thượng—tâu Đại vương—ta không đủ sức kể cho trọn số lượng các loại tội, các khổ hình (yātanā) do chúng sinh ra, và cả các hình thức của dharma nữa.
Narada (addressing a king)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It stresses the vast, subtle scope of karma: sins, their consequences, and remedial dharmas are so numerous that even a sage frames them as beyond complete enumeration—encouraging humility and careful ethical living.
Indirectly, it sets the stage for seeking a higher, simplifying refuge—often expressed in Purāṇic teaching as devotion and surrender—when detailed accounting of every sin and expiation becomes too vast for ordinary capacity.
The verse points to dharma-śāstra style classification (a practical, rule-based approach) rather than a specific Vedāṅga; it implies the need for disciplined interpretation and application of ethical rules in conduct and governance.