Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 171
Vāmana’s Advent, Aditi’s Hymn, Bali’s Gift, and the Mahatmya of Bhū-dāna
पृथिवीं वृत्तिहीनेभ्यो ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रदत्तवान् । तस्य विष्णुः प्रसन्नात्मा तत्त्वैश्वर्यमनुत्तमम् ॥ ७१ ॥
pṛthivīṃ vṛttihīnebhyo brāhmaṇebhyaḥ pradattavān | tasya viṣṇuḥ prasannātmā tattvaiśvaryamanuttamam || 71 ||
He bestowed the earth—land and sustenance—upon Brahmins who were without livelihood. Pleased at heart, Lord Viṣṇu granted him unsurpassed sovereignty, grounded in the true principles of tattva.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Dharma narrative context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that supporting livelihood-less Brahmins through bhū-dāna (gift of land/sustenance) becomes a dharmic act that directly pleases Viṣṇu, resulting in supreme, truth-aligned prosperity and authority.
Bhakti is shown as practical service: when one gives in a way that protects dharma and sustains the virtuous, Viṣṇu becomes prasanna (pleased) and bestows grace—devotion expressed through compassionate action.
The verse primarily reflects Dharma-śāstra application (proper recipients and purpose of dāna); it does not directly teach a Vedāṅga like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa, but implies correct ritual-ethical discernment in charitable acts.