Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 122
Vāmana’s Advent, Aditi’s Hymn, Bali’s Gift, and the Mahatmya of Bhū-dāna
दातव्यो मुनिभिश्चापि षष्टांशो भूभुजे बले । महीयं ब्राह्मणानां तु दातव्या सर्व यत्नतः ॥ २२ ॥
dātavyo munibhiścāpi ṣaṣṭāṃśo bhūbhuje bale | mahīyaṃ brāhmaṇānāṃ tu dātavyā sarva yatnataḥ || 22 ||
Até mesmo os munis devem oferecer ao rei a sexta parte quando ele é forte, isto é, capaz de proteger e governar. Mas a terra deve ser dada em dāna aos brāhmaṇas com todo empenho e máximo cuidado.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It frames giving as dharma aligned with cosmic order: supporting a righteous king who protects society, and honoring brāhmaṇas through bhū-dāna, which is treated as a high form of merit-bearing charity.
Bhakti in the Purāṇic sense is supported by dharmic conduct—humility, rightful giving, and sustaining protectors and teachers. The verse implies that devotion is not isolated from social duty; it is expressed through righteous support of dharma.
It reflects dharma-śāstric practicality rather than a specific Vedāṅga: principles of rajadharma (taxation as ṣaṣṭhāṃśa) and dāna-vidhi (rules of gifting), which guide ritual-social conduct.