Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 10
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
ताम्रीभिस्तच्छतगुणं हेम्ना कोटिगुणं भवेत् । देवालयं तडागं वा ग्रामं वा पालयेत्तु यः ॥ १० ॥
tāmrībhistacchataguṇaṃ hemnā koṭiguṇaṃ bhavet | devālayaṃ taḍāgaṃ vā grāmaṃ vā pālayettu yaḥ || 10 ||
तांब्याने केल्यास पुण्य शतगुण, आणि सोन्याने केल्यास कोटिगुण होते. जो देवालय, तडाग (तळे) किंवा ग्रामाचे रक्षण करतो, त्यालाही असेच बहुगुण फल मिळते।
Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara tradition; instructional narration)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It teaches that preserving sacred and public-supporting institutions—temples, water reservoirs, and village welfare—is a high Dharma whose spiritual fruit is greatly multiplied, especially when supported by valuable endowments.
By emphasizing devālaya-pālana (protecting and sustaining the Lord’s temple) as a form of seva, it frames devotion as practical service that supports worship, pilgrims, and the continuity of dharmic life.
It reflects Dharma-śāstra style ritual economy—how materials used in religious endowments affect prescribed merit—rather than a specific Vedanga like Vyākaraṇa; the practical takeaway is the rule of proportionality in dana/seva for public works.