Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 190
Vāmana’s Advent, Aditi’s Hymn, Bali’s Gift, and the Mahatmya of Bhū-dāna
सनक उवाच । अमन्त्रितं हविर्यत्तु हूयते जातवेदसि । अपात्रे दीयते यच्च तद्धोरं भोगसाधनम् ॥ १९० ॥
sanaka uvāca | amantritaṃ haviryattu hūyate jātavedasi | apātre dīyate yacca taddhoraṃ bhogasādhanam || 190 ||
Sanaka sprach: Jede Opfergabe (havis), die ohne die rechten Mantras in Jātavedas (Agni) dargebracht wird, und jede Gabe, die einem Unwürdigen gegeben wird — beides wird unerquicklich und furchtbar, dient nur als Werkzeug weltlichen Genusses und der Bindung, nicht als wahres Verdienst.
Sanaka
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It teaches that ritual and charity must be guided by mantra and discernment (pātra-apātra). Otherwise, actions that appear meritorious can produce fearful results and bind the doer to worldly consequences rather than purifying the mind.
By warning against mechanically performed rites, it indirectly supports bhakti-oriented purity: offerings and gifts should be made with sacred intention, right method, and reverence—so the act becomes purification and dedication rather than a mere means to gain enjoyments.
It highlights the importance of correct mantra-application and ritual procedure (linked to Śikṣā and Kalpa/ritual discipline), and the dharmic discernment of pātra vs. apātra in dāna—key practical rules for ensuring a rite yields proper spiritual merit.