Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 110
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
तद्धि सर्वाश्रमणां मूलमुदाहरंति गुरुकुलनिवासिनः परिव्राजका येऽन्ये । संकल्पितव्रतनियमधर्मानुष्टानिनस्तेषामप्यंतरा च भिक्षाबलिसंविभागाः प्रवर्तंते ॥ ११० ॥
taddhi sarvāśramaṇāṃ mūlamudāharaṃti gurukulanivāsinaḥ parivrājakā ye'nye | saṃkalpitavrataniyamadharmānuṣṭāninasteṣāmapyaṃtarā ca bhikṣābalisaṃvibhāgāḥ pravartaṃte || 110 ||
Ceci, en vérité, est proclamé comme la racine même de tous les āśrama : les parivrājaka, renonçants errants, ainsi que les autres demeurant au gurukula du maître, l’attestent. Même pour ceux qui, par résolution délibérée, accomplissent vœux, disciplines, règles et observances du dharma, la distribution de l’aumône et des offrandes de nourriture (bali) se poursuit comme un devoir essentiel.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-Dharma dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It identifies sharing—through alms and food-offerings—as a foundational discipline underlying every āśrama, showing that spiritual life is inseparable from ethical giving and communal responsibility.
While not naming bhakti explicitly, it supports devotional life by emphasizing selflessness and service (sharing food and alms), which purifies intention and sustains a God-centered, compassionate way of living.
It reflects Kalpa-style practical dharma (ritual and conduct): how vowed practitioners and renunciants should maintain regulated practices like bhikṣā (alms) and bali (offerings/portions) as part of daily observance.