Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 10
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
ताम्रीभिस्तच्छतगुणं हेम्ना कोटिगुणं भवेत् । देवालयं तडागं वा ग्रामं वा पालयेत्तु यः ॥ १० ॥
tāmrībhistacchataguṇaṃ hemnā koṭiguṇaṃ bhavet | devālayaṃ taḍāgaṃ vā grāmaṃ vā pālayettu yaḥ || 10 ||
إن كان من النحاس صار الثواب مئةَ ضعف، وإن كان من الذهب صار كروْرًا من الأضعاف. ومن يحمي معبد الإله، أو البركة (التداغا)، أو حتى قريةً وجماعتها، ينال ثمرةً روحيةً مضاعفةً على هذا النحو.
Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara tradition; instructional narration)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It teaches that preserving sacred and public-supporting institutions—temples, water reservoirs, and village welfare—is a high Dharma whose spiritual fruit is greatly multiplied, especially when supported by valuable endowments.
By emphasizing devālaya-pālana (protecting and sustaining the Lord’s temple) as a form of seva, it frames devotion as practical service that supports worship, pilgrims, and the continuity of dharmic life.
It reflects Dharma-śāstra style ritual economy—how materials used in religious endowments affect prescribed merit—rather than a specific Vedanga like Vyākaraṇa; the practical takeaway is the rule of proportionality in dana/seva for public works.