Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 4
Janaka Instructs Śuka: Āśrama-Sequence, Guru-Dependence, and Marks of Liberation
पाद्यं निवेद्य प्रथमं सार्ध्यं गां च न्यद्दे । स च तांमंत्रतः पूजां प्रतिगृह्य द्विजोत्तमः ॥ ४ ॥
pādyaṃ nivedya prathamaṃ sārdhyaṃ gāṃ ca nyadde | sa ca tāṃmaṃtrataḥ pūjāṃ pratigṛhya dvijottamaḥ || 4 ||
Zuerst brachte er das Wasser zum Waschen der Füße dar (pādya). Dann überreichte er die Opfergabe (nivedya) zusammen mit einer Kuh. Der erhabenste unter den Zweimalgeborenen, der Brāhmaṇa, nahm die mit Mantras vollzogene Verehrung an und wurde gebührend geehrt.
Sanatkumara (in dialogue instruction to Narada on dharma and mantra-guided reception)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that liberation-oriented dharma is supported by reverent hospitality: offering pādya, giving dāna (such as a cow), and performing pūjā with mantras to honor a worthy brāhmaṇa.
Bhakti is expressed through humble service and mantra-based worship—honoring the virtuous as embodiments of sacred presence, and making offerings with devotion rather than mere formality.
It highlights correct ritual procedure (kalpa/vaidika ācāra): the use of mantras (mantrataḥ) and standard upacāras like pādya in formal reception and pūjā.