Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 10
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
ताम्रीभिस्तच्छतगुणं हेम्ना कोटिगुणं भवेत् । देवालयं तडागं वा ग्रामं वा पालयेत्तु यः ॥ १० ॥
tāmrībhistacchataguṇaṃ hemnā koṭiguṇaṃ bhavet | devālayaṃ taḍāgaṃ vā grāmaṃ vā pālayettu yaḥ || 10 ||
Jika dilakukan dengan tembaga, pahalanya menjadi seratus kali ganda; jika dengan emas, menjadi satu koṭi kali ganda. Sesiapa yang melindungi kuil Dewa, kolam takungan, atau bahkan sebuah kampung, memperoleh buah rohani yang berlipat ganda demikian.
Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara tradition; instructional narration)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It teaches that preserving sacred and public-supporting institutions—temples, water reservoirs, and village welfare—is a high Dharma whose spiritual fruit is greatly multiplied, especially when supported by valuable endowments.
By emphasizing devālaya-pālana (protecting and sustaining the Lord’s temple) as a form of seva, it frames devotion as practical service that supports worship, pilgrims, and the continuity of dharmic life.
It reflects Dharma-śāstra style ritual economy—how materials used in religious endowments affect prescribed merit—rather than a specific Vedanga like Vyākaraṇa; the practical takeaway is the rule of proportionality in dana/seva for public works.