Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
दिवाशयनशीलस्य तथा मैथुनकारिणः । सध्याभोजिन एवापिदत्तं भवति निष्फलम् ॥ १४ ॥
divāśayanaśīlasya tathā maithunakāriṇaḥ | sadhyābhojina evāpidattaṃ bhavati niṣphalam || 14 ||
A gift becomes fruitless when given to one who habitually sleeps in the daytime, who indulges in sexual misconduct, or who regularly eats during the Sandhyā hours (dawn or twilight).
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada on dāna-dharma)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
It teaches that dāna (charity) is not only about giving, but also about discernment: giving to a person devoted to tamasic habits and sandhyā-violations is said to yield no spiritual fruit (puṇya).
Bhakti is supported by śuddha-ācāra (pure conduct). The verse implies that gifts meant to sustain dharma should support disciplined living rather than habits that obstruct worship, sandhyā practices, and spiritual steadiness.
It reflects kalpa/ācāra principles (ritual conduct) tied to sandhyā-kāla discipline—twilight junctions are traditionally reserved for sandhyā-vandana and restraint, not regular eating.