Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20
Varṇāśrama-ācāra: Common Virtues, Varṇa Duties, and the Four Āśramas
याजयेद्यजने योग्यान्विप्रो नित्योदकी भवेत् । कुर्य्याच्च वेदग्रहणं तथाग्रेश्च परिग्रहम् ॥ २० ॥
yājayedyajane yogyānvipro nityodakī bhavet | kuryyācca vedagrahaṇaṃ tathāgreśca parigraham || 20 ||
A brāhmaṇa should officiate sacrifices for those who are fit to perform them; he should be ever purified with water (observant of daily ablutions). He should also undertake the study and retention of the Veda, and accept the proper honorarium (dakṣiṇā) in accordance with established custom.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada on dharma and brahmana conduct)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It frames brāhmaṇa-dharma as a disciplined triad—serving society through yajña, maintaining inner/outer purity through regular ablutions, and preserving sacred knowledge through Vedic study—so ritual action remains aligned with dharma rather than livelihood alone.
While not explicitly naming bhakti, it supports devotion indirectly: purity (śauca), scriptural grounding (veda-grahaṇa), and righteous service in sacred rites create the ethical and spiritual foundation upon which Vishnu-bhakti and other devotional practices are sustained.
The verse emphasizes vedagrahaṇa—systematic Vedic learning—implying reliance on Vedāṅga supports (especially Śikṣā for recitation and Vyākaraṇa for correct language) to preserve accuracy in mantra, ritual performance, and teaching.