Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 74
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
महापातकयुक्तो वा युक्तो वाप्युपपातकैः । जलदो मुच्यते तेभ्य इत्याह कमलोद्भवः ॥ ७४ ॥
mahāpātakayukto vā yukto vāpyupapātakaiḥ | jalado mucyate tebhya ityāha kamalodbhavaḥ || 74 ||
Qu’on soit entaché d’un grand péché (mahāpātaka) ou de fautes secondaires (upapātaka), celui qui donne de l’eau est délivré de ces souillures—ainsi le proclame le Né du Lotus (Brahmā).
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada; citing Brahma as authority)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It elevates jaladāna (the gift of water) as a powerful purifying act, teaching that compassionate charity can reduce even heavy karmic burdens when performed as dharma.
While the verse speaks in the language of expiation, it supports bhakti-oriented living by stressing selfless service and relief to beings—acts typically offered to the Divine as worship through compassion.
It aligns with Dharmaśāstra-style prayāścitta principles (ritual-ethical expiation): specific dāna acts—here, water-giving—are prescribed as practical means for pāpa-śamana (sin-reduction).