Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
तरवः किं न जीवन्ति तेऽपि लोके परार्थकाः । यत्र मूलफलैर्वृक्षाः परकार्यं प्रकुर्वते ॥ २५ ॥
taravaḥ kiṃ na jīvanti te'pi loke parārthakāḥ | yatra mūlaphalairvṛkṣāḥ parakāryaṃ prakurvate || 25 ||
या लोकी वृक्ष काय जगत नाहीत काय? तेही परार्थीच असतात; कारण मुळे, छाया व फळांनी ते परोपकार करितात।
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that true worth is measured by paropakāra—like trees that sustain others, a human life becomes dhārmic when it is oriented toward benefiting the world rather than mere self-preservation.
Bhakti in the Purāṇic sense is expressed through seva and compassion; serving living beings selflessly is presented as a natural outward sign of an inner God-centered life.
No specific Vedāṅga (Śikṣā, Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, etc.) is taught here; the practical takeaway is sadācāra—ethical conduct aligned with Dharma, especially generosity and service.