Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
मनुष्या यदि विप्राग्थ्र न परार्थास्तदा मृताः । परकार्यं न ये मर्त्याः कायेनापि धनेन वा ॥ २६ ॥
manuṣyā yadi viprāgthra na parārthāstadā mṛtāḥ | parakāryaṃ na ye martyāḥ kāyenāpi dhanena vā || 26 ||
O best of brāhmaṇas, if human beings do not live for the sake of others, they are as good as dead. Those mortals who do not serve another’s cause—by bodily effort or by wealth—truly do not live.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It defines meaningful life as paropakāra—actively supporting others’ welfare—teaching that a self-centered life is spiritually equivalent to lifelessness.
Bhakti is not only worship but also compassionate action; serving beings through effort or charity is treated as a lived expression of devotion and dharmic conduct.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; it emphasizes applied dharma—service (kāya-sevā) and giving (dāna) as practical disciplines.