Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
दिवाशयनशीलस्य तथा मैथुनकारिणः । सध्याभोजिन एवापिदत्तं भवति निष्फलम् ॥ १४ ॥
divāśayanaśīlasya tathā maithunakāriṇaḥ | sadhyābhojina evāpidattaṃ bhavati niṣphalam || 14 ||
जो दिन में सोने का अभ्यासी है, जो मैथुन-दोष में प्रवृत्त है, तथा जो संध्याकाल में भोजन करने का अभ्यासी है—ऐसों को दिया हुआ दान भी निष्फल हो जाता है।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada on dāna-dharma)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
It teaches that dāna (charity) is not only about giving, but also about discernment: giving to a person devoted to tamasic habits and sandhyā-violations is said to yield no spiritual fruit (puṇya).
Bhakti is supported by śuddha-ācāra (pure conduct). The verse implies that gifts meant to sustain dharma should support disciplined living rather than habits that obstruct worship, sandhyā practices, and spiritual steadiness.
It reflects kalpa/ācāra principles (ritual conduct) tied to sandhyā-kāla discipline—twilight junctions are traditionally reserved for sandhyā-vandana and restraint, not regular eating.