Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
मृदैव कुरुते यस्तु देवतायतनं नरः । यावत्पुण्यं भवेत्तस्य तन्मे निगदतः शृणु ॥ ३ ॥
mṛdaiva kurute yastu devatāyatanaṃ naraḥ | yāvatpuṇyaṃ bhavettasya tanme nigadataḥ śṛṇu || 3 ||
إنْ بنى رجلٌ مَعبَدًا (مقامًا مقدّسًا) للإله، ولو من طينٍ فقط، فاسمع مني إذ أُبيّن عِظَمَ الثواب الذي يصير له ذلك الفعل.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It elevates even a simple, clay-built shrine as a powerful dharmic act, emphasizing that sincere devotion expressed through creating a deity’s abode generates great puṇya.
Bhakti is shown as practical service: establishing a place for divine presence and worship. The material simplicity (clay) highlights that intention and reverence, not luxury, are central.
Primarily ritual practice (kalpa-oriented application): the verse points to the dharmic framework of temple/shrine construction as a meritorious religious act, rather than grammar or astrology.