Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38
Ekādaśī Vrata-Vidhi and the Galava–Bhadrashīla Itihāsa
Dharmakīrti before Yama
मृदा च विष्णोः प्रतिमां कृत्वा पूजयते क्षणम् । वयस्यान्बोधयेच्चापि विष्णुः पूज्यो नरैः सदा ॥ ३८ ॥
mṛdā ca viṣṇoḥ pratimāṃ kṛtvā pūjayate kṣaṇam | vayasyānbodhayeccāpi viṣṇuḥ pūjyo naraiḥ sadā || 38 ||
മണ്ണുകൊണ്ട് വിഷ്ണുവിന്റെ പ്രതിമ ഉണ്ടാക്കി ക്ഷണമാത്രം പോലും പൂജിക്കുകയും കൂട്ടുകാരെ ഉപദേശിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നവൻ—മനുഷ്യർ സദാ വിഷ്ണുവിനെ ആരാധിക്കേണ്ടതാണെന്ന് ബോധിപ്പിക്കുന്നു।
Narada (teaching in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It emphasizes that sincere devotion is not limited by resources: even a simple clay image worshiped briefly becomes meaningful, and the higher principle is that Viṣṇu is always worthy of worship.
Bhakti is shown as accessible and continuous—one may begin with a small act (momentary worship) and deepen it into a lifelong orientation: “Viṣṇu is to be worshiped always.”
Ritual practicality (kalpa-oriented conduct) is implied: using readily available materials (clay) for pratimā-pūjā and pairing worship with teaching others, reinforcing dharmic practice through instruction.