Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 33
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
एतादृशं तं राजानं ज्ञात्वा हृष्टो भगीरथम् । धर्मराजो द्विजश्रेष्ठ कदाचिद्द्रष्टुमागतः ॥ ३४ ॥
etādṛśaṃ taṃ rājānaṃ jñātvā hṛṣṭo bhagīratham | dharmarājo dvijaśreṣṭha kadāciddraṣṭumāgataḥ || 34 ||
हे द्विजश्रेष्ठ, असा राजा भगीरथ आहे हे जाणून धर्मराज (यम) हर्षित झाला आणि कधीतरी त्याला भेटावयास आला.
Narada (narrating to a brāhmaṇa interlocutor within the Purva-bhāga dialogue frame)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
The verse highlights that steadfast dharma in a ruler is so spiritually potent that even Dharmarāja (the cosmic judge of righteousness) is pleased and personally comes to witness such virtue—affirming dharma as a living, observable power.
While not explicitly naming Viṣṇu-bhakti, it supports the bhakti framework indirectly: sincere righteousness, humility, and duty performed in alignment with dharma are treated as offerings that attract divine attention and grace.
The verse primarily emphasizes dharma-śāstric application (conduct and rajadharma) rather than a specific Vedāṅga; practically, it points to the importance of correct observance of prescribed duties (ācāra) as taught in śāstra.