Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9
Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
असिजीवी मषीजीवी देवलो ग्रामयाजकः । धावको वा भवेत्तेषां दत्तं भवति निष्फलम् ॥ १० ॥
asijīvī maṣījīvī devalo grāmayājakaḥ | dhāvako vā bhavetteṣāṃ dattaṃ bhavati niṣphalam || 10 ||
Sesiapa yang mencari nafkah dengan pedang, atau dengan pena (kerja penulis), seorang pendeta kuil (devala), pelaksana korban untuk seluruh kampung, atau pelari utusan—jika derma diberikan kepada mereka, pemberian itu menjadi sia-sia tanpa pahala.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that the merit of dāna depends not only on the act of giving but also on the worthiness and mode of livelihood of the recipient; gifts given to certain professionalized or ethically compromised livelihoods are declared spiritually fruitless.
Bhakti is supported by purity of intention and right conduct; this verse guides devotees to offer gifts in a discerning way so that offerings made in devotion produce genuine spiritual merit rather than becoming ineffective.
It reflects Dharma-śāstra style ritual ethics (connected with Kalpa—rules of rites and conduct): proper eligibility of recipients is treated as a technical requirement for the successful fruit of religious acts like dāna.