Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 81
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
उपदेष्टा स्वयं चासौ धर्मकार्यस्य भूपतेः । तस्माद्धर्मविमानं तु समारोढुमिहार्हति ॥ ८२ ॥
upadeṣṭā svayaṃ cāsau dharmakāryasya bhūpateḥ | tasmāddharmavimānaṃ tu samāroḍhumihārhati || 82 ||
O König, er selbst ist der Lehrer in deinem dharmischen Vorhaben; darum ist er hier wahrlich würdig, den himmlischen Wagen der Dharma zu besteigen.
Narrator (Suta-style puranic narration; dialogue context likely addressing a king as 'bhūpati')
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
The verse elevates the role of a true guide in dharmic action, stating that one who instructs and supports righteous duty becomes fit for divine reward—symbolized by ascending the “Dharma-vimāna.”
While the verse is framed in Dharma, it supports Bhakti indirectly: sincere service as a spiritual guide and support of righteous acts is treated as sacred merit, aligning one’s life with divine order and leading toward higher spiritual attainment.
The practical emphasis is on upadeśa (proper instruction), which aligns with disciplined transmission of dharma—akin to the Vedanga spirit of correct guidance and right procedure in religious duties, even if no single Vedanga is explicitly named.