Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14
Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative
असूयोपेतमनसां भक्तिदानादिकर्म्म यत् । अवेहि निष्फलं ब्रहंस्तेषां दूरतरो हरिः ॥ १४ ॥
asūyopetamanasāṃ bhaktidānādikarmma yat | avehi niṣphalaṃ brahaṃsteṣāṃ dūrataro hariḥ || 14 ||
يا أيها البراهمن، اعلم أن أعمال أولئك—من بهاكتي والتصدّق (دانا) ونحو ذلك—إذا امتلأت قلوبهم بحسدٍ يفتّش عن العيوب صارت بلا ثمرة؛ ولهم يبقى هري بعيدًا جدًّا.
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada as 'brahman')
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that inner disposition determines spiritual fruit: if the mind is tainted by asūyā (jealous fault-finding), even outwardly pious acts like devotion and charity fail to bring one closer to Hari.
Bhakti is not merely performance; it must be accompanied by a non-envious, non-derisive heart. When devotion is mixed with contempt for others, the relationship with Vishnu does not mature, and Hari remains ‘distant’.
The verse underscores ritual efficacy principles central to Dharma-śāstra and Kalpa (practical application of rites): intention and mental purity are prerequisites for karmic and spiritual results, not mere external correctness.