Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

असूयाविष्टमनसः कृतन्घस्य च मायिनः । अयाज्ययाजकस्यापि दत्तं भवति निष्फलम् ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

asūyāviṣṭamanasaḥ kṛtanghasya ca māyinaḥ | ayājyayājakasyāpi dattaṃ bhavati niṣphalam || 6 ||

Translation

Eine Gabe wird fruchtlos, wenn sie einem gegeben wird, dessen Geist von Neid ergriffen ist, einem Undankbaren, einem Betrüger, oder einem, der Opferhandlungen für Unwürdige vollzieht.

Word by Word

• asūyāviṣṭamanasaḥ: of one whose mind is possessed by envy
• asūyāviṣṭamanasaḥ: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: asūyāviṣṭamanas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• kṛtaghnasya: of the ungrateful (destroyer of favors)
• kṛtaghnasya: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛtaghna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• māyinaḥ: of the deceitful/illusory one
• māyinaḥ: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: māyin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• ayājyayājakasya: of a priest sacrificing for the unworthy
• ayājyayājakasya: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ayājyayājaka (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: raudra (anger)

FAQs

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

It teaches that dāna (charity) is not merely the act of giving—its spiritual fruit depends on the recipient’s character and adherence to dharma; giving to unethical or ritually improper persons yields no merit.

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

Bhakti is grounded in purity and right conduct; offerings meant to please the Divine should be directed through dharmic channels—otherwise the act loses its sacred efficacy and does not support devotional progress.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa (ritual procedure) and dharma-śāstra principles: yajña has eligibility rules (yājya/ayājya), and a priest who facilitates improper sacrifices is censured, making associated gifts spiritually ineffective.