Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
कर्तुं तडागं यो मर्त्यः साह्यकः शक्तितो भवेत् । सोऽपि तत्फलमाप्नोति तुष्टः प्रेरक एव च ॥ ५७ ॥
kartuṃ taḍāgaṃ yo martyaḥ sāhyakaḥ śaktito bhavet | so'pi tatphalamāpnoti tuṣṭaḥ preraka eva ca || 57 ||
Tout mortel qui, selon ses forces, devient aide à la construction d’un étang obtient lui aussi le même mérite ; de même, celui qui, joyeux, incite et inspire les autres à le faire reçoit ce fruit.
Narada (teaching in a dharma-upadesha context, traditionally within Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue flow)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It teaches that merit (puṇya) is not limited to the main doer: helpers and sincere motivators also receive the same spiritual fruit when the act is a genuine dharmic service—here, creating a water source for beings.
By valuing joyful encouragement and selfless support, it aligns with bhakti’s inner attitude: offering one’s capacity and intention for the welfare of others, even when one cannot perform the entire work personally.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is dharma-application—participation, sponsorship, and ethical motivation in a welfare rite (public water works) all generate recognized puṇya.