Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
मृदैव कुरुते यस्तु देवतायतनं नरः । यावत्पुण्यं भवेत्तस्य तन्मे निगदतः शृणु ॥ ३ ॥
mṛdaiva kurute yastu devatāyatanaṃ naraḥ | yāvatpuṇyaṃ bhavettasya tanme nigadataḥ śṛṇu || 3 ||
Wenn ein Mensch für die Gottheit ein Heiligtum (einen Tempel) errichtet, selbst wenn nur aus Lehm, so höre von mir, wie groß das Verdienst dieser Tat wird.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It elevates even a simple, clay-built shrine as a powerful dharmic act, emphasizing that sincere devotion expressed through creating a deity’s abode generates great puṇya.
Bhakti is shown as practical service: establishing a place for divine presence and worship. The material simplicity (clay) highlights that intention and reverence, not luxury, are central.
Primarily ritual practice (kalpa-oriented application): the verse points to the dharmic framework of temple/shrine construction as a meritorious religious act, rather than grammar or astrology.