Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 80
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
तदर्थं तु मया पृष्टो धर्मो धर्मलिपिंकरः । चित्रगुत्पस्तु तत्कर्म मह्यं सर्वं न्यवेदयत् ॥ ८१ ॥
tadarthaṃ tu mayā pṛṣṭo dharmo dharmalipiṃkaraḥ | citragutpastu tatkarma mahyaṃ sarvaṃ nyavedayat || 81 ||
Darum fragte ich zu eben diesem Zweck Dharma—den Schreiber, der die Rechtschaffenheit verzeichnet—; und daraufhin berichtete mir Citragupta vollständig all jene Taten.
Narada (narrating a first-person account within the dialogue framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It emphasizes karmic accountability: every action is recorded under Dharma’s administration, and one’s deeds become the basis for future consequences.
By highlighting that deeds are examined and recorded, it implicitly urges devotees to align conduct with dharma—supporting pure bhakti through ethical living and sincerity.
It reflects dharma-śāstra style moral accounting and the puranic model of karmaphala (results of actions), guiding practical discipline in conduct rather than a specific Vedanga like Jyotiṣa or Vyākaraṇa.