Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38
The Exposition of Spiritual Knowledge
Jñāna-pradarśanam
तस्य जानन्तिरागन्तोः कल्पयामास चार्हणम् । कन्दमूलफलाद्यैस्तु नारायणधिया मुने ॥ ३८ ॥
tasya jānantirāgantoḥ kalpayāmāsa cārhaṇam | kandamūlaphalādyaistu nārāyaṇadhiyā mune || 38 ||
Reconociéndolo como huésped recién llegado, dispuso una recepción digna—ofreciéndole tubérculos, raíces, frutos y demás—oh sabio, con la mente fija en Nārāyaṇa.
Suta (narrating the account as part of the Purana dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that honoring a guest (atithi) is itself a dharmic act, and when done with remembrance of Nārāyaṇa, even simple foods become spiritually sanctified.
Bhakti is shown as inner orientation: the offering is modest (roots and fruits), but the mind is absorbed in Nārāyaṇa, making the act true worship through intention and reverence.
The verse primarily reflects smārta-prayoga (practical dharma) rather than a technical Vedāṅga; it emphasizes proper atithi-satkāra (guest reception) as a rule of conduct within ritual culture.