Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
ये केचित्पापनिरता निन्दिताः सुजनैः सदा । न तेभ्यः प्रतिगृह्णीयान्न च वद्याद्दिजोत्तम । सत्कर्मनिरतायापि देयं यत्नेन नारद ॥ १८ ॥
ye kecitpāpaniratā ninditāḥ sujanaiḥ sadā | na tebhyaḥ pratigṛhṇīyānna ca vadyāddijottama | satkarmaniratāyāpi deyaṃ yatnena nārada || 18 ||
Von denen, die dem Sündigen ergeben sind und stets von den Tugendhaften getadelt werden, soll man keine Gaben annehmen; und der Beste der Zweimalgeborenen soll nicht einmal mit ihnen sprechen. Doch dem, der sich den rechten Werken widmet, soll man mit Sorgfalt und ernstem Bemühen geben, o Nārada.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It teaches that purity is required not only in worship but also in social exchange: accepting gifts or close contact with habitual sinners can taint one’s dharmic standing, while charity given to the righteous strengthens merit and sattva.
Bhakti is supported by ethical discipline (sadācāra): a devotee safeguards purity by avoiding corrupt sources of wealth and association, and by offering resources carefully to those aligned with satkarma—actions conducive to devotion and spiritual growth.
It reflects Dharma-śāstric application of ritual ethics—especially the rules of dāna and pratigraha (giving and receiving)—which guide how offerings and livelihood remain ritually and morally pure.