Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 51
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
यो विप्रहितकृन्नित्यं स सर्वान्कृतवान्मखान् । स स्नातः सर्वतीर्थेषु तप्तं तेनाखिलं तपः ॥ ५२ ॥
yo viprahitakṛnnityaṃ sa sarvānkṛtavānmakhān | sa snātaḥ sarvatīrtheṣu taptaṃ tenākhilaṃ tapaḥ || 52 ||
Celui qui accomplit sans cesse les devoirs prescrits par l’Écriture a, en vérité, accompli tous les sacrifices ; il s’est baigné en tous les tīrtha sacrés, et par lui toute forme d’austérité (tapas) a été menée à son accomplissement.
Narada (teaching within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It teaches that steady performance of śāstra-enjoined duty (nitya-anuṣṭhāna) is spiritually comprehensive—equivalent in merit to yajñas, tīrtha-bathing, and tapas—because it aligns one’s life with dharma.
By valuing consistent, sincere obedience to sacred injunctions over mere external acts, it supports bhakti’s inner orientation: offerings, pilgrimage, and austerity become complete when performed with faithful adherence and dedication to the divine order upheld by Vishnu.
The verse points to correct ritual and duty-performance grounded in Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Dharma-śāstra application—emphasizing proper, regular observance rather than sporadic display of pilgrimage or austerity.