Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
असिजीवी मषीजीवी देवलो ग्रामयाजकः । धावको वा भवेत्तेषां दत्तं भवति निष्फलम् ॥ १० ॥
asijīvī maṣījīvī devalo grāmayājakaḥ | dhāvako vā bhavetteṣāṃ dattaṃ bhavati niṣphalam || 10 ||
Celui qui vit de l’épée, celui qui vit de la plume (métier de scribe), le prêtre de temple (devala), l’officiant des rites pour tout le village, ou le coureur messager : le don fait à de tels hommes devient sans fruit.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that the merit of dāna depends not only on the act of giving but also on the worthiness and mode of livelihood of the recipient; gifts given to certain professionalized or ethically compromised livelihoods are declared spiritually fruitless.
Bhakti is supported by purity of intention and right conduct; this verse guides devotees to offer gifts in a discerning way so that offerings made in devotion produce genuine spiritual merit rather than becoming ineffective.
It reflects Dharma-śāstra style ritual ethics (connected with Kalpa—rules of rites and conduct): proper eligibility of recipients is treated as a technical requirement for the successful fruit of religious acts like dāna.