Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 43
Yajñamālī–Sumālī Upākhyāna: Merit-Transfer through Temple Plastering (Lepa) and the Redemption of a Sinner
तेन पुण्यप्रभावेन उपलेपकृतेन च । विप्रजन्म त्वया प्राप्तं हरि भक्तिस्तथाचला ॥ ४२ ॥
tena puṇyaprabhāvena upalepakṛtena ca | viprajanma tvayā prāptaṃ hari bhaktistathācalā || 42 ||
Par la puissance de ce mérite—et aussi par l’acte d’oindre et d’enduire le lieu sacré—tu as obtenu une naissance de brāhmaṇa, et ta bhakti envers Hari est devenue tout aussi ferme, inébranlable.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)
FAQs
It teaches that even a seemingly simple ritual act done with sanctity (upalepa) generates powerful puṇya, which can mature into higher birth (vipra-janma) and, more importantly, firm devotion to Hari.
Bhakti is presented as a fruit of accumulated merit and sacred service: righteous actions support inner transformation until devotion to Hari becomes acalā—steady and unshakable.
It indirectly points to Kalpa (ritual procedure): correct performance of sanctifying acts like upalepa is treated as spiritually efficacious when aligned with dharma and devotion.