Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16
Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy
पाषाणधारणं चैव शयनं कण्टकोपरि । पिपीलिकादंशनं च वृश्चिकैश्चापि पीडनम् ॥ १६ ॥
pāṣāṇadhāraṇaṃ caiva śayanaṃ kaṇṭakopari | pipīlikādaṃśanaṃ ca vṛścikaiścāpi pīḍanam || 16 ||
Mang vác đá nặng, nằm trên gai nhọn, bị kiến cắn, và cũng bị bọ cạp hành hạ—đó là những khổ hạnh tự chuốc lấy.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka (fear)
Secondary Rasa: vira (heroic)
FAQs
It enumerates extreme bodily mortifications—hardships undertaken as tapas—implying that mere physical pain is not, by itself, the essence of spiritual attainment; discernment and right practice are required.
By highlighting harsh self-torments, the verse implicitly contrasts external suffering with inner transformation; Narada Purana commonly redirects seekers toward sattvic discipline and devotion-oriented practice rather than pain as an end.
No specific Vedanga (such as Vyakarana, Shiksha, or Jyotisha) is taught in this line; it functions as a dharmic caution about the method and purpose of tapas within sadhana.