Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 41
The Origin of the Gaṅgā and the Gods’ Defeat Caused by Bali
प्रयाससाध्यं सुकृतं न प्रशँसन्ति पण्डिताः । शरीरं यन्ततो रक्ष्यं धर्मसाधनतत्परैः ॥ ४१ ॥
prayāsasādhyaṃ sukṛtaṃ na praśaṃsanti paṇḍitāḥ | śarīraṃ yantato rakṣyaṃ dharmasādhanatatparaiḥ || 41 ||
Orang bijaksana tidak memuji kebajikan yang hanya tercapai melalui kepayahan berlebihan. Mereka yang tekun menunaikan Dharma hendaklah memelihara tubuh dengan cermat, kerana tubuh ialah alat bagi amalan kebenaran.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It teaches that Dharma should be pursued with discernment: merit is not measured by self-torture, and the body must be maintained because it is the primary support for worship, vows, study, and charity.
Bhakti requires steadiness—japa, puja, vrata, and remembrance of the Lord are sustained by a healthy body and mind; therefore, devotion favors disciplined balance over exhausting practices that break continuity.
It implies the Vedanga principle of proper prayoga (right application) in ritual and discipline: actions should follow measured rules (yukti and niyama) so that sadhana remains sustainable rather than harmful.