Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 84
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
कल्माषपाद उवाच । गुरुस्तु कीदृशः प्रोक्तः कस्त्वयाश्लाघितः पुरा । तद्वदस्व सरवे सर्वं परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥ ८४ ॥
kalmāṣapāda uvāca | gurustu kīdṛśaḥ proktaḥ kastvayāślāghitaḥ purā | tadvadasva sarave sarvaṃ paraṃ kautūhalaṃ hi me || 84 ||
Kalmāṣapāda nói: “Bậc Guru như thế nào được nêu là lý tưởng? Và ai là người trước kia ông từng ca ngợi? Xin hãy nói cho ta trọn vẹn, vì lòng hiếu kỳ của ta thật mãnh liệt.”
Kalmāṣapāda
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It highlights śāstric jijnāsā (earnest inquiry): the seeker asks for the defining marks of an ideal guru and the lineage of praised teachers, implying that right knowledge begins with right guidance.
By insisting on knowing the ‘true guru,’ the verse points to bhakti being learned and stabilized through proper instruction—devotion matures when received from an authoritative, praised teacher rather than mere curiosity alone.
Indirectly, it stresses the Vedāṅga principle of correct transmission—learning śāstra through a qualified ācārya (teacher) so that recitation, meaning, and practice (including ritual procedure) are preserved accurately.