Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
दग्भेन चापि हिंसार्थं परस्याविधिनापि च । क्रुद्धेनाश्रद्धयापात्रे तद्दानं मध्यमं स्मृतम् ॥ २१ ॥
dagbhena cāpi hiṃsārthaṃ parasyāvidhināpi ca | kruddhenāśraddhayāpātre taddānaṃ madhyamaṃ smṛtam || 21 ||
अपमान करून, किंवा हिंसेच्या हेतूने, किंवा दुसऱ्याच्या अयोग्य विधीनुसार जे दान दिले जाते; तसेच क्रोधाने, श्रद्धेविना, आणि अपात्राला दिलेले दान—ते मध्यम मानले आहे.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It teaches that the merit of dāna depends not only on the object given but on intention, śraddhā, proper vidhi, and the worthiness of the recipient; harmful or faithless giving yields only middling spiritual fruit.
Bhakti is expressed through reverent, non-harmful offering; giving in anger or to injure others contradicts devotion, because true offering is meant to please the Divine through purity of heart and conduct.
It highlights the importance of vidhi (correct ritual procedure) and discernment of pātra/apātra—practical dharma-application aligned with śāstra-guided conduct rather than impulsive or socially pressured giving.