Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
प्राकारकारिणस्तस्य कण्टकावरणप्रदाः । प्रयान्ति ब्रह्मणः स्थानं युगानामेकसप्ततिम् ॥ २३ ॥
prākārakāriṇastasya kaṇṭakāvaraṇapradāḥ | prayānti brahmaṇaḥ sthānaṃ yugānāmekasaptatim || 23 ||
Ceux qui en bâtissent des remparts protecteurs, et ceux qui fournissent des couvertures contre les épines, atteignent la demeure de Brahmā durant soixante et onze yuga.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It teaches that practical service—protecting and maintaining a sacred place or route—counts as high dharma and yields an exalted post-mortem reward: residence in Brahmā’s realm for a vast duration.
While not explicitly naming Vishnu-bhakti, it highlights bhakti expressed as seva: safeguarding what is sacred for the benefit of devotees and pilgrims, which the Purana treats as a powerful form of religious merit.
It reflects kalpa-style practical dharma (ritual and duty application): maintaining sacred infrastructure and removing harm (like thorns) is presented as a concrete, merit-generating religious act.