Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
प्राकारकारिणस्तस्य कण्टकावरणप्रदाः । प्रयान्ति ब्रह्मणः स्थानं युगानामेकसप्ततिम् ॥ २३ ॥
prākārakāriṇastasya kaṇṭakāvaraṇapradāḥ | prayānti brahmaṇaḥ sthānaṃ yugānāmekasaptatim || 23 ||
Wer dafür schützende Umfriedungen errichtet und wer Abdeckungen gegen Dornen bereitstellt, gelangt für einundsiebzig Yugas in die Wohnstatt Brahmās.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It teaches that practical service—protecting and maintaining a sacred place or route—counts as high dharma and yields an exalted post-mortem reward: residence in Brahmā’s realm for a vast duration.
While not explicitly naming Vishnu-bhakti, it highlights bhakti expressed as seva: safeguarding what is sacred for the benefit of devotees and pilgrims, which the Purana treats as a powerful form of religious merit.
It reflects kalpa-style practical dharma (ritual and duty application): maintaining sacred infrastructure and removing harm (like thorns) is presented as a concrete, merit-generating religious act.