Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
तद्याहि राक्षसत्वं त्वं तदाहारोचितं नृपा । इति शापं ददत्यस्मिन्सौदासो भयविह्वूलः ॥ २७ ॥
tadyāhi rākṣasatvaṃ tvaṃ tadāhārocitaṃ nṛpā | iti śāpaṃ dadatyasminsaudāso bhayavihvūlaḥ || 27 ||
“Vì thế, hỡi Đức vua, ngài sẽ trở thành một Dạ xoa, chỉ thích hợp với loại thức ăn đó.” Nói xong, Saudāsa—lòng đầy sợ hãi—đã thốt ra lời nguyền này lên người.
Narrator (Purāṇic narrator recounting the episode of King Saudāsa)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It highlights how fear and disturbed judgment can lead to grave karmic outcomes—here, a curse that drives a fall into rākṣasa-nature and impure conduct.
Indirectly, it contrasts the instability of fear-driven action with the steadiness cultivated by devotion; bhakti disciplines the mind so one does not act rashly and incur destructive consequences.
The verse chiefly illustrates dharma and the ethics of speech (vāg-niyama) rather than a technical Vedāṅga; it warns that improperly used speech—like a curse—can become a powerful, harmful act.