Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 88
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
श्वशुरो मातुलश्चैव ज्येष्ठभ्राता पिता तथा । उपनेता निषेक्ता च संस्कर्त्ता मित्रसत्तम ॥ ८८ ॥
śvaśuro mātulaścaiva jyeṣṭhabhrātā pitā tathā | upanetā niṣektā ca saṃskarttā mitrasattama || 88 ||
岳父、母舅、长兄与父亲；同样，授予入门礼（Upanayana，佩戴圣线）者、使人得生之父，以及主持净化仪式（saṃskāra）者——这些确是最尊贵的朋友。
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada on Dharma and social-ritual obligations)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It reframes key family and ritual guardians as “the best of friends,” teaching that reverence (satkāra) toward those who sustain one’s life, dharma, and purification is itself a dharmic discipline that supports inner steadiness.
By emphasizing gratitude and service to those who transmit dharma (especially the upanetā and saṃskartā), it builds the humility and right conduct that traditionally protect and nourish bhakti, even though the verse is primarily about social-ritual ethics.
It points to saṃskāra-prayoga (ritual application) connected with Kalpa/Vedāṅga practice—especially upanayana and other purificatory rites—by naming the upanetā and saṃskartā as crucial dharmic authorities.