Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 131
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
यावत्कणानुकल्पं तु तिष्ठेत देवसन्निधौ । मृदा धातुविकारैर्वा यो लिम्पेद्देवतागृहम् ॥ १३१ ॥
yāvatkaṇānukalpaṃ tu tiṣṭheta devasannidhau | mṛdā dhātuvikārairvā yo limpeddevatāgṛham || 131 ||
Ne fût-ce qu’un instant, égal au temps d’une seule particule, demeurer en présence de la Divinité; ou enduire et réparer le temple du Seigneur avec de l’argile ou des préparations métalliques : tout cela porte un grand mérite.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It elevates simple proximity to the Deity and practical temple upkeep (plastering/repair) as powerful acts of dharma, showing that devotion expressed through service yields great spiritual merit even when the act seems small or brief.
Bhakti here is defined as tangible seva: being present before the Deity with reverence and supporting the Deity’s abode through maintenance—devotion becomes action, not merely emotion.
Ritual praxis (kalpa-oriented temple service) is implied: correct, respectful maintenance of a devatā-gṛha is treated as a regulated devotional act within dharma, emphasizing applied ritual discipline rather than grammar or astrology.