Gṛhastha-Dharma: How a Householder Attains Liberation by Offering All to Vāsudeva
एषु स्नानं जपो होमो व्रतं देवद्विजार्चनम् । पितृदेवनृभूतेभ्यो यद्दत्तं तद्ध्यनश्वरम् ॥ २५ ॥
eṣu snānaṁ japo homo vrataṁ deva-dvijārcanam pitṛ-deva-nṛ-bhūtebhyo yad dattaṁ tad dhy anaśvaram
ಈ ಸಮಯಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಗಂಗಾ, ಯಮುನಾ ಅಥವಾ ಇತರ ತೀರ್ಥಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ನಾನ, ಜಪ, ಹೋಮ, ವ್ರತ, ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಪರಮೇಶ್ವರನ, ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣರ, ಪಿತೃಗಳ, ದೇವತೆಗಳ ಮತ್ತು ಸಮಸ್ತ ಜೀವಿಗಳ ಆರಾಧನೆ—ಮತ್ತು ನೀಡುವ ದಾನ—ಅದು ಶಾಶ್ವತ ಫಲವನ್ನು ನೀಡುತ್ತದೆ.
This verse teaches that when charity is offered properly—along with purifying practices like japa, homa, vows, and worship—and directed to forefathers, demigods, people, and living beings, it becomes anaśvara, yielding imperishable spiritual merit.
In this chapter Nārada outlines ideal gṛhastha-dharma—how a householder can sanctify daily life through worship, discipline, and compassionate giving—so that worldly duties become supportive of devotion rather than binding.
Keep a simple daily sādhana (cleanliness, mantra-japa, some form of worship), take periodic vows for self-discipline, and practice regular giving—food, help, and support—to elders, community, and all beings, offering the results to the Supreme.