Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 101
Mokṣopāya: Bhakti-rooted Jñāna and the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Viṣṇu-Meditation
अन्तःशुद्धिविहीनैस्तु येऽध्वरा विविधाः कृताः । न फलंति मुनीश्रेष्ट भस्मनि न्यस्तहव्यवत् ॥ १ ॥
antaḥśuddhivihīnaistu ye'dhvarā vividhāḥ kṛtāḥ | na phalaṃti munīśreṣṭa bhasmani nyastahavyavat || 1 ||
Doch die vielfältigen Opferhandlungen (adhvara), die von Menschen ohne innere Reinheit vollzogen werden, tragen keine Frucht, o Bester der Weisen—wie eine Opfergabe, die auf Asche niedergelegt wird.
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
It teaches that ritual action (yajña/adhvara) becomes spiritually ineffective without antaḥśuddhi—purity of intention, mind, and conduct—so inner transformation is the true basis of dharmic results.
Bhakti is not merely external worship; it requires a cleansed heart. The verse implies that offerings and rites become fruitful when grounded in sincerity, humility, and inner purity—core conditions for Vishnu-bhakti to mature.
It highlights the ritual principle that correct external procedure alone is insufficient; the efficacy (phala) of karma depends on the performer’s inner qualification (adhikāra), aligning with broader dharma-śāstra and yajña reasoning rather than a single technical Vedanga rule.