Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 131
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
यावत्कणानुकल्पं तु तिष्ठेत देवसन्निधौ । मृदा धातुविकारैर्वा यो लिम्पेद्देवतागृहम् ॥ १३१ ॥
yāvatkaṇānukalpaṃ tu tiṣṭheta devasannidhau | mṛdā dhātuvikārairvā yo limpeddevatāgṛham || 131 ||
Even if only for a moment—no longer than the time of a single speck—remaining in the Deity’s presence, or plastering and repairing the Lord’s temple with clay or with preparations made from metals, becomes highly meritorious.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It elevates simple proximity to the Deity and practical temple upkeep (plastering/repair) as powerful acts of dharma, showing that devotion expressed through service yields great spiritual merit even when the act seems small or brief.
Bhakti here is defined as tangible seva: being present before the Deity with reverence and supporting the Deity’s abode through maintenance—devotion becomes action, not merely emotion.
Ritual praxis (kalpa-oriented temple service) is implied: correct, respectful maintenance of a devatā-gṛha is treated as a regulated devotional act within dharma, emphasizing applied ritual discipline rather than grammar or astrology.