Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 77
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
अन्नदस्य कुले जाता आसहस्रं नृपोत्तम । नरकं ते न पश्यन्ति तस्मादन्नप्रदो वरः ॥ ७७ ॥
annadasya kule jātā āsahasraṃ nṛpottama | narakaṃ te na paśyanti tasmādannaprado varaḥ || 77 ||
হে নৃপোত্তম! অন্নদাতা জনৰ বংশত জন্ম লোৱা সহস্ৰজন পৰ্যন্ত নৰক নেদেখে; সেয়ে অন্নপ্ৰদাতা দানসমূহৰ মাজত শ্ৰেষ্ঠ।
Narada (teaching a king—addressed as nṛpottama)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It elevates anna-dāna as a supreme form of charity because its merit protects not only the donor but also many in the donor’s lineage from experiencing naraka (hellish states).
While not explicitly naming a deity, the verse frames compassionate service—sustaining life through food—as a dharmic act that purifies the heart, a key support for bhakti-oriented living in Purāṇic teaching.
It reflects Dharma-śāstra style reasoning about dāna-phala (results of giving) used in ritual practice—guiding when and why anna-dāna is prescribed as a high-merit charitable act.