Mohinī-Ākhyāna: Rukmāṅgada’s Refusal to Eat on Harivāsara
Ekādaśī
पिबेद्विषं विशेद्वह्निं निपतेत्पर्वताग्रतः । आकाशभासा स्वशिरश्छिंद्यादेव वरासिना ॥ १३ ॥
pibedviṣaṃ viśedvahniṃ nipatetparvatāgrataḥ | ākāśabhāsā svaśiraśchiṃdyādeva varāsinā || 13 ||
人宁可饮下毒药,步入烈火,或从山顶跳下;甚至可以用闪耀如天空的宝剑砍下自己的头颅(也不应违背誓言)。
Narada (as narrator within the Tirtha-Mahatmya context of Uttara-Bhaga)
Vrata: Ekadashi (implied by immediate context)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: vira
It uses extreme examples (poison, fire, cliff, self-decapitation) to stress that certain adharmic actions are so spiritually destructive that even death is preferable to committing them—highlighting the primacy of dharma in a tirtha context.
Bhakti in the Narada Purana is not mere emotion; it is protected by right conduct (sadācāra). The verse underscores that devotion must be accompanied by strict avoidance of prohibited acts that obstruct purity, pilgrimage merit, and remembrance of the Lord.
It reflects Dharma-śāstric nishedha reasoning (conduct-based injunctions) rather than a specific Vedanga technique; practically, it teaches ethical restraint as the foundation for effective ritual observance and tirtha-related vows.