Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 74
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
महापातकयुक्तो वा युक्तो वाप्युपपातकैः । जलदो मुच्यते तेभ्य इत्याह कमलोद्भवः ॥ ७४ ॥
mahāpātakayukto vā yukto vāpyupapātakaiḥ | jalado mucyate tebhya ityāha kamalodbhavaḥ || 74 ||
Sama ada seseorang terpalit dosa besar (mahāpātaka) atau dosa kecil (upapātaka), orang yang memberi air dibebaskan daripada cela itu—demikian dinyatakan oleh Yang Lahir dari Teratai (Brahmā).
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada; citing Brahma as authority)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It elevates jaladāna (the gift of water) as a powerful purifying act, teaching that compassionate charity can reduce even heavy karmic burdens when performed as dharma.
While the verse speaks in the language of expiation, it supports bhakti-oriented living by stressing selfless service and relief to beings—acts typically offered to the Divine as worship through compassion.
It aligns with Dharmaśāstra-style prayāścitta principles (ritual-ethical expiation): specific dāna acts—here, water-giving—are prescribed as practical means for pāpa-śamana (sin-reduction).