Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5

Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds

Devanagari script

परदाररतस्यापि परद्रव्याभिलिषिणः । नक्षत्रसूचकस्यापि दत्तं भवति निष्फलम् ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

paradāraratasyāpi paradravyābhiliṣiṇaḥ | nakṣatrasūcakasyāpi dattaṃ bhavati niṣphalam || 5 ||

Translation

Eine Gabe wird fruchtlos, wenn sie einem gegeben wird, der sich an der Frau eines anderen ergötzt, der nach fremdem Besitz giert, oder der nur die Sterne deutet (Astrologie ohne Dharma).

Word by Word

• paradāraratasya: of one addicted to others' wives
• paradāraratasya: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paradārarata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• api: also
• api: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle

• paradravyābhiliṣiṇaḥ: of one coveting others' property
• paradravyābhiliṣiṇaḥ: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paradravyābhiliṣin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• nakṣatrasūcakasya: of an astrologer (star-indicator)
• nakṣatrasūcakasya: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nakṣatrasūcaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• api: also
• api: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle

• dattam: given (charity)
• dattam: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dā (धातु)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• bhavati: becomes
• bhavati: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Lat Lakara (Present), Prathama Purusha (3rd), Singular

• niṣphalam: fruitless
• niṣphalam: Kartri-visheshana (Subject Complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niṣphala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa (disgust)

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It teaches that charity is not only about the act of giving but also about the moral worthiness of the recipient; gifts offered to those rooted in lust, greed, or unethical practices fail to yield spiritual merit.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Bhakti is supported by purity and right conduct; the verse implies that offerings meant for dharma should not empower adharma, because devotion matures when giving aligns with ethical living.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It references Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astrology) via “nakṣatra-sūcaka,” warning that technical skill—like star-calculation—without dharmic character is spiritually unproductive in the context of receiving religious gifts.