Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 42
The Description of the Glory of the Purāṇa
Purāṇa-Māhātmya
ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेत्पश्चाच्छतं मिष्टान्नपायसैः । दक्षिणां प्रददेच्छक्त्या भक्त्या प्रीयेत माधवः ॥ ४२ ॥
brāhmaṇānbhojayetpaścācchataṃ miṣṭānnapāyasaiḥ | dakṣiṇāṃ pradadecchaktyā bhaktyā prīyeta mādhavaḥ || 42 ||
Ensuite, qu’on nourrisse cent brāhmaṇas de mets sucrés et de riz au lait (pāyasa) ; et, selon ses moyens, qu’on leur donne la dakṣiṇā (don d’honneur). Par une telle bhakti, Mādhava (Viṣṇu) est comblé.
Narada (teaching in a didactic sequence; traditional dialogue context with Sanatkumara lineage)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It teaches that honoring brāhmaṇas through feeding and dakṣiṇā—done with sincere bhakti and within one’s means—is a concrete dharmic act that pleases Mādhava (Viṣṇu).
Bhakti is shown not only as inner feeling but as devotional service: offering nourishing food and respectful gifts as an act of worship, with the intention of pleasing Viṣṇu.
It reflects ritual practice (kalpa-oriented conduct): proper hospitality (bhojana) and prescribed gifting (dakṣiṇā) performed ‘according to śakti,’ emphasizing disciplined, rule-based devotion rather than mere sentiment.