Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 26
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
मनसा वचसा वापि ते ज्ञेयाः पापकृत्तमाः । अत्रेतिहासं वक्ष्यामि श्रृणु नारद तत्त्वतः ॥ २७ ॥
manasā vacasā vāpi te jñeyāḥ pāpakṛttamāḥ | atretihāsaṃ vakṣyāmi śrṛṇu nārada tattvataḥ || 27 ||
जे मनाने किंवा वाणीनेही परहित करीत नाहीत, ते महापापी जाणावे. आता मी एक इतिहास सांगतो—हे नारद, तत्त्वतः ऐक।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It emphasizes that inner intention (mind) and verbal conduct (speech) are primary measures of dharma; corruption at these levels marks one as deeply sinful, and the Purana then teaches through an itihasa to establish the truth.
Bhakti requires purity of thought and speech—remembering and praising the Divine with sincerity—so the verse indirectly frames devotion as a discipline that cleanses mental and verbal wrongdoing.
It points to disciplined use of speech (a core concern behind Śikṣā—phonetics/pronunciation—and Vyākaraṇa—proper language), implying that correct and truthful speech is a practical tool for dharmic living.