Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 46
Yajñamālī–Sumālī Upākhyāna: Merit-Transfer through Temple Plastering (Lepa) and the Redemption of a Sinner
गोचर्ममात्रभूमेस्तु उपलेपनजं फलम् । दत्त्वोद्धर महाभाग भ्रातरं कृपयान्वितः ॥ ४५ ॥
gocarmamātrabhūmestu upalepanajaṃ phalam | dattvoddhara mahābhāga bhrātaraṃ kṛpayānvitaḥ || 45 ||
إن الثواب الناشئ من طلاء الأرض وتطهيرها، ولو كانت بقعة لا تزيد على مقدار جلد بقرة—فامنح ذلك الثواب، أيها النبيل، وبالرحمة ارفع أخاك وأنقذه.
Sanatkumara (instructional voice within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that even small, sincere acts of ritual purification (like preparing a clean sacred space) generate real spiritual merit, and that merit should be used compassionately to help uplift others.
By emphasizing compassion and selfless intention: devotion is not only worship but also using one’s religious gains to benefit others—an expression of bhakti through mercy and service.
It reflects kalpa-style ritual practicality: preparing and purifying a worship area (through upalepana) as a dharmic act, stressing correct sacred-space preparation before rites.