Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24
Śrāddha-prayoga: Niyama, Brāhmaṇa-parīkṣā, Kutapa-kāla, Tithi-nyāya, and Vaiṣṇava-phala
यत्काव्यं दीयते द्वव्यैरकाले मुनिसत्तम । राक्षसं तद्धि विज्ञेयं पितॄणां नोपतिष्टति ॥ २४ ॥
yatkāvyaṃ dīyate dvavyairakāle munisattama | rākṣasaṃ taddhi vijñeyaṃ pitṝṇāṃ nopatiṣṭati || 24 ||
हे मुनिश्रेष्ठ! अयोग्य काळी दोन द्विजांना जे ‘काव्य’ दिले जाते, ते ‘राक्षस’ समजावे; ते पितरांपर्यंत पोहोचत नाही.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It stresses that Śrāddha is not merely charity but a time-bound sacred transmission; when performed at an improper time, it loses its intended spiritual efficacy and fails to benefit the Pitṛs.
By implying that devotion must be expressed through disciplined dharma: sincere intent should be supported by correct observance (kāla and vidhi), so offerings become a true act of reverence rather than a fruitless ritual.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) and the importance of kāla (proper timing) in rites—showing that errors in scheduling/sequence can invalidate the intended result of Śrāddha.