Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
असिजीवी मषीजीवी देवलो ग्रामयाजकः । धावको वा भवेत्तेषां दत्तं भवति निष्फलम् ॥ १० ॥
asijīvī maṣījīvī devalo grāmayājakaḥ | dhāvako vā bhavetteṣāṃ dattaṃ bhavati niṣphalam || 10 ||
जो तलवारीवर उपजीविका करतो, जो लेखणीच्या कामावर जगतो, जो देवल (मंदिर-पुरोहित) आहे, जो ग्रामयाजक आहे, किंवा जो धावक/दूत आहे—अशांना दिलेले दान निष्फळ ठरते।
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that the merit of dāna depends not only on the act of giving but also on the worthiness and mode of livelihood of the recipient; gifts given to certain professionalized or ethically compromised livelihoods are declared spiritually fruitless.
Bhakti is supported by purity of intention and right conduct; this verse guides devotees to offer gifts in a discerning way so that offerings made in devotion produce genuine spiritual merit rather than becoming ineffective.
It reflects Dharma-śāstra style ritual ethics (connected with Kalpa—rules of rites and conduct): proper eligibility of recipients is treated as a technical requirement for the successful fruit of religious acts like dāna.