Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 53
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
तडागं कारयेद्यस्तु स्वयमेवापरेण वा । वक्तुं तत्पुण्यसंख्यानं नालं वर्षशतायुषा ॥ ५४ ॥
taḍāgaṃ kārayedyastu svayamevāpareṇa vā | vaktuṃ tatpuṇyasaṃkhyānaṃ nālaṃ varṣaśatāyuṣā || 54 ||
Quiconque fait creuser un étang—par son propre effort ou par l’entremise d’autrui—même en vivant cent ans ne suffirait pas à dire pleinement la mesure de son mérite.
Narada (teaching in a dharma-upadesha context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It elevates loka-hita (public welfare) as a powerful form of dharma: creating a water source sustains life and therefore generates immeasurable puṇya.
Though not explicitly naming a deity, it frames selfless service as a devotional attitude—acting for the good of beings, which aligns with bhakti’s spirit of offering and compassion.
No specific Vedanga is taught directly; the verse emphasizes practical dharma (ritual-ethical duty) by recommending socially beneficial works as a meritorious religious act.