Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 1
Yamapatha (The Road of Yama), Dāna-Phala, and the Imperishable Fruition of Karma
नारद उवाच । कथितो भवता सम्यग्वर्णाश्रमविधिर्मुने । इदानीं श्रोतुमिच्छामि यममार्गं सुदुर्गमम् ॥ १ ॥
nārada uvāca | kathito bhavatā samyagvarṇāśramavidhirmune | idānīṃ śrotumicchāmi yamamārgaṃ sudurgamam || 1 ||
那罗陀说道：“噢，牟尼啊，你已清楚阐明种姓与住期（varṇa、āśrama）的正当法则。如今我愿聆听阎摩之道——那极其艰难的道路。”
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
This verse marks a transition from social–religious duty (varṇa–āśrama dharma) to the consequences after death, introducing the teaching on Yama’s difficult post-mortem path and the need for right conduct and higher spiritual refuge.
While bhakti is not named here, Narada’s inquiry sets up the contrast between mere external dharma and the deeper spiritual protection traditionally taught in the Purana—where devotion and remembrance of the Divine are presented as safeguards amid the terrors of Yama’s route.
The verse does not directly teach a Vedāṅga; it references varṇa–āśrama ‘vidhi’ (injunctions), implying the importance of dharma grounded in śāstric rules and correct understanding of prescribed duties.