Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14
Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative
असूयोपेतमनसां भक्तिदानादिकर्म्म यत् । अवेहि निष्फलं ब्रहंस्तेषां दूरतरो हरिः ॥ १४ ॥
asūyopetamanasāṃ bhaktidānādikarmma yat | avehi niṣphalaṃ brahaṃsteṣāṃ dūrataro hariḥ || 14 ||
ഹേ ബ്രാഹ്മണാ! കുറ്റം കാണുന്ന അസൂയ നിറഞ്ഞ മനസ്സുള്ളവർ ചെയ്യുന്ന ഭക്തി, ദാനം മുതലായ കർമ്മങ്ങൾ നിഷ്ഫലമാണെന്ന് അറിയുക; അവർക്കു ഹരി വളരെ ദൂരെയിരിക്കുന്നു।
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada as 'brahman')
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that inner disposition determines spiritual fruit: if the mind is tainted by asūyā (jealous fault-finding), even outwardly pious acts like devotion and charity fail to bring one closer to Hari.
Bhakti is not merely performance; it must be accompanied by a non-envious, non-derisive heart. When devotion is mixed with contempt for others, the relationship with Vishnu does not mature, and Hari remains ‘distant’.
The verse underscores ritual efficacy principles central to Dharma-śāstra and Kalpa (practical application of rites): intention and mental purity are prerequisites for karmic and spiritual results, not mere external correctness.