Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 92
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
पञ्चाशद्धनुरुत्खातं जातं तत्र महाजलम् । पुनः शिलाभिः सुदृढं बद्धं जातं महत्सरः । वृक्षाश्च रोपितास्तत्र सर्वलोकोपकारिणः ॥ ९३ ॥
pañcāśaddhanurutkhātaṃ jātaṃ tatra mahājalam | punaḥ śilābhiḥ sudṛḍhaṃ baddhaṃ jātaṃ mahatsaraḥ | vṛkṣāśca ropitāstatra sarvalokopakāriṇaḥ || 93 ||
Dort brachte eine Aushebung von fünfzig Bogenlängen ein großes Gewässer hervor. Danach wurde es mit Steinen fest eingefasst und verstärkt und wurde zu einem weiten See; und auch Bäume, die allen Menschen nützen, wurden dort gepflanzt.
Suta (narrating the account within the Purana’s dialogue framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents loka-hita (welfare of all beings) as a dharmic act: creating water resources and planting trees becomes a source of puṇya because it sustains life and supports pilgrims, householders, and ascetics alike.
While not explicitly devotional, it reflects bhakti expressed as service—offering practical support to living beings. In Purāṇic ethics, such compassionate, sustaining acts are aligned with devotion to the Lord who dwells in all.
No specific Vedāṅga is taught directly; however, it uses traditional measurement language (dhanus as a unit) and emphasizes orderly construction (stone embankment), reflecting applied discipline in dharmic works.