Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 53
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
तडागं कारयेद्यस्तु स्वयमेवापरेण वा । वक्तुं तत्पुण्यसंख्यानं नालं वर्षशतायुषा ॥ ५४ ॥
taḍāgaṃ kārayedyastu svayamevāpareṇa vā | vaktuṃ tatpuṇyasaṃkhyānaṃ nālaṃ varṣaśatāyuṣā || 54 ||
Sesiapa yang menyebabkan sebuah kolam takungan dibina—sama ada dengan usahanya sendiri atau melalui orang lain—maka walaupun seseorang hidup seratus tahun, tetap tidak memadai untuk menghitung sepenuhnya kadar pahala kebajikannya.
Narada (teaching in a dharma-upadesha context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It elevates loka-hita (public welfare) as a powerful form of dharma: creating a water source sustains life and therefore generates immeasurable puṇya.
Though not explicitly naming a deity, it frames selfless service as a devotional attitude—acting for the good of beings, which aligns with bhakti’s spirit of offering and compassion.
No specific Vedanga is taught directly; the verse emphasizes practical dharma (ritual-ethical duty) by recommending socially beneficial works as a meritorious religious act.