Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 110
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
तद्धि सर्वाश्रमणां मूलमुदाहरंति गुरुकुलनिवासिनः परिव्राजका येऽन्ये । संकल्पितव्रतनियमधर्मानुष्टानिनस्तेषामप्यंतरा च भिक्षाबलिसंविभागाः प्रवर्तंते ॥ ११० ॥
taddhi sarvāśramaṇāṃ mūlamudāharaṃti gurukulanivāsinaḥ parivrājakā ye'nye | saṃkalpitavrataniyamadharmānuṣṭāninasteṣāmapyaṃtarā ca bhikṣābalisaṃvibhāgāḥ pravartaṃte || 110 ||
Denn dies wird als die eigentliche Wurzel aller Āśramas verkündet: die umherziehenden Entsagenden (parivrājaka) wie auch die übrigen Bewohner des Gurukula beim Lehrer bekräftigen es. Selbst für jene, die aus bewusstem Entschluss Gelübde, Disziplinen, Regeln und dharmische Observanzen vollziehen, setzt sich als innere Pflicht die Praxis fort, Almosen und Speiseopfergaben (bali) auszuteilen.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-Dharma dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It identifies sharing—through alms and food-offerings—as a foundational discipline underlying every āśrama, showing that spiritual life is inseparable from ethical giving and communal responsibility.
While not naming bhakti explicitly, it supports devotional life by emphasizing selflessness and service (sharing food and alms), which purifies intention and sustains a God-centered, compassionate way of living.
It reflects Kalpa-style practical dharma (ritual and conduct): how vowed practitioners and renunciants should maintain regulated practices like bhikṣā (alms) and bali (offerings/portions) as part of daily observance.