Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 57
Yajñamālī–Sumālī Upākhyāna: Merit-Transfer through Temple Plastering (Lepa) and the Redemption of a Sinner
अवाप परमं स्थानं योगिनामपि दुर्लभम् । उपलेपनमाहात्म्यं कथितं ते मुनीश्वर ॥ ५६ ॥
avāpa paramaṃ sthānaṃ yogināmapi durlabham | upalepanamāhātmyaṃ kathitaṃ te munīśvara || 56 ||
He attained the supreme abode—rare even for accomplished yogins. Thus, O lord among sages, the greatness of the sacred act of plastering and purifying has been told to you.
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It declares that the merit of upalepana (a sanctifying, purificatory rite) can lead to the supreme state—so exalted that even yogins find it hard to reach—thereby elevating ritual purity into a direct means toward liberation.
By praising a sacred service-act connected with worship and sanctification, the verse frames devotion as practical seva: humble ritual action offered in a spirit of reverence can culminate in the highest divine attainment.
It most closely reflects Kalpa (ritual procedure): the verse emphasizes the efficacy of correct sanctifying practice (upalepana) as part of dharmic worship and purification.