Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 88
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
तस्य पुण्यफलं राजञ्श्छृणु वक्ष्यामि तत्त्वतः । एकतः क्रतवः सर्वे समग्रवरदक्षिणाः ॥ ८८ ॥
tasya puṇyaphalaṃ rājañśchṛṇu vakṣyāmi tattvataḥ | ekataḥ kratavaḥ sarve samagravaradakṣiṇāḥ || 88 ||
Wahai Raja, dengarlah: akan aku jelaskan dengan sebenar-benarnya buah pahala itu. Ia setara dengan semua kratu (upacara korban) yang dilaksanakan bersama-sama, lengkap dengan dakṣiṇā yang sempurna dan terbaik.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
The verse elevates the unnamed act/observance being discussed by declaring its fruit equal to the combined merit of all Vedic sacrifices performed with complete, excellent priestly gifts—showing that certain dharmic practices can rival grand yajñas in spiritual efficacy.
While it uses yajña language, the verse’s intent is to redirect the listener from external scale to inner potency: a single prescribed dharmic act (often linked in the Narada Purana to Vishnu-centered practice) can yield results comparable to many elaborate rites when done with sincerity and right understanding.
It highlights the ritual framework of yajña—especially the principle of dakṣiṇā (sacrificial fees/gifts) as a completion-marker for kratu—reflecting Kalpa-śāstra priorities within the Vedāṅga tradition.