Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20
The Greatness of Viṣṇu
Viṣṇor Māhātmya
कर्माण्यन्यानि सन्त्येव विष्णोः प्रीतिकराणि च । तथापि किं महाभाग एतयोः सततोद्यतः ॥ २० ॥
karmāṇyanyāni santyeva viṣṇoḥ prītikarāṇi ca | tathāpi kiṃ mahābhāga etayoḥ satatodyataḥ || 20 ||
विष्णूंना प्रसन्न करणारी इतरही कर्मे आहेत. तरीही, हे महाभाग, तू या दोनच कर्मांत सतत का उद्यत असतोस?
Sanatkumara (one of the Sanaka brothers)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It highlights discernment in sādhana: although many karmas can please Viṣṇu, the text probes why a seeker prioritizes a select pair of practices, implying focused devotion (niṣṭhā) can be more transformative than scattered merit.
By acknowledging multiple Viṣṇu-prītikara acts yet questioning exclusive dedication to “these two,” the verse frames bhakti as steady commitment—choosing and consistently performing core devotional disciplines rather than pursuing many optional rites.
The verse reflects ritual discernment (kalpa-oriented thinking): evaluating which karmas are Viṣṇu-prītikara and why certain observances (often framed as vrata or daily pūjā/japa) are selected as primary practices.