Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 52
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
यो ददस्वेति विप्राणां जीवनं प्रेरयेत्परम् । सोऽपि तत्फलमाप्नोति किमन्यैर्बहुभाषितैः ॥ ५३ ॥
yo dadasveti viprāṇāṃ jīvanaṃ prerayetparam | so'pi tatphalamāpnoti kimanyairbahubhāṣitaiḥ || 53 ||
Whoever earnestly urges support for the livelihood of brāhmaṇas by saying, “Give!”—even he attains the very fruit of that charity. What need is there for much more talk?
Sage Nārada (teaching in dialogue to the Sanatkumāra tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that inspiring and facilitating righteous charity—especially sustaining brāhmaṇas—produces real puṇya; merit is not limited only to the physical donor.
By promoting selfless support of sacred learning and dharma-bearers, one serves Bhagavān’s order (dharma) indirectly; such service-oriented encouragement is aligned with bhakti’s spirit of loving, selfless action.
Ritual-practical dharma: the verse underscores dāna as an actionable duty and highlights the role of brāhmaṇas as preservers/teachers of Veda and Vedāṅga learning—so sustaining them supports Vedic transmission.