Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16
Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative
पृच्छतां च महाधर्म्मान्वदतां वै मृषा च तान् । धर्मेष्वभक्तिमनसां तेषां दूरतरो हरिः ॥ १६ ॥
pṛcchatāṃ ca mahādharmmānvadatāṃ vai mṛṣā ca tān | dharmeṣvabhaktimanasāṃ teṣāṃ dūrataro hariḥ || 16 ||
Bahkan mereka yang bertanya tentang dharma tertinggi, dan mereka yang membicarakannya namun berdusta, serta mereka yang melakukan amalan agama tetapi hati tanpa bhakti—bagi mereka, Hari tetap sangat jauh.
Sanatkumara (speaking to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that merely discussing “great dharmas” is not enough—without sincerity, truthfulness, and devotion, the presence and grace of Hari (Vishnu) remain inaccessible.
It asserts that bhakti is the inner core of dharma: when the mind is non-devotional (abhakti-manas), even outwardly religious conduct cannot bring one close to Vishnu.
The practical takeaway is ethical discipline in speech (satya vs. mṛṣā): correct recitation or religious talk is spiritually fruitless if it is dishonest—integrity is required for dharmic efficacy.